This weekend is so very special to so many people for personal reasons. Whether you celebrate Christianity, Judaism, another faith or the Easter Bunny; it regardless brings back memories of childhood from all generations.

This week we had a text conversation with family members which brought discussion of what each person remembered of Easter celebrations in our homes in the 1960 era.

Sisters recalled a variety of traditions . Not only were there frilly, fancy, spin-around dresses but there were also new patent leather shoes, purses , bonnets and carnation corsages for each girl in the house young or older.

Other memories included the practice of dyeing Easter Eggs on Saturday evening to be provided to the infamous rabbit to hide throughout the house.

Most years they would all be found but occasionally that one rascal would stay hidden for weeks until an odor betrayed its whereabouts.

Tradition also included the males of the house providing shoeshine expertise for their shoes and anyone else's who hadn't scored new ones. Television programming was recalled for wholesome, maybe even corny, specials including “The Lawrence Welk Show” featuring the singers and dancers in such colorful outfits no one would dare wear them after 1970. The singers would belt out sacred Easter hymns and the dancers always strolled along to the tune of “In Your Easter Bonnet”. And somehow Mr. Welk and one of his beautiful dancers would add a waltz and someone managed to justify a mesmerizing tap dance too.

Easter wasn't excluded from being an opportunity to anti-welcome new boyfriends or suitors to the home. Each visitor received the same gifts that were being given to the family. Easter baskets were a guarantee with plenty of chocolate from the local Butler candy stores for a generation of young women in the late 1990 decade.

Friends, including boyfriends, were always welcome to come for the holiday. One young woman from Texas and a very prominent Texas family was brought to tears of happiness with chocolate, colored marshmallow chicks, and painted eggs all in a 99 cent straw basket.

Each and every basket was hidden by the Easter Bunny for the recipient of the basket to find . There were no rules for where it could be. Since one young college student seemed to think he was far too intelligent to be outsmarted by an aging bunny he inspired a most creative hiding place for his treasure. So before he arose that morning his basket of pleasure was raised to the top of the flagpole in the yard.

Even after all the other baskets and eggs had been accounted for, this newest guest found his efforts fruitless or at least chocolate-less. Time for church services came and the search was abandoned.

The Easter Bunny refused to grant clemency for the captive basket, so it remained high in the morning sun until after church. After much pleading by the family member who had brought him into this predicament; Peter Rabbit simply pointed skyward and shook his head. Some of the arrogance was lost when the realization that the warm April sun was enough to melt the delights the basket held. But a forever memory was had.

This Easter won't see many families creating that kind of happy or funny memory. Instead we will be telling future generations about the year COVID-19 tried to steal our holiday and our traditions.

But family holidays including Easter and Passover are far more than candy and dresses, of bonnets and shoes.

These days are meant to celebrate life. New life or saved lives in ancient times or today. Interpret those words as it applies to you. But as we face this time together look for whatever positives are in it and enjoy the weekend.

— RV