On Easter Day, I'll pack up the car with my entire family and drive over to my mother's for Easter dinner.  Our family consists of adopted children, foster-children, step-children, biological children, son-in-laws, step-fathers, step-grandparents and best friends who we have always referred to as Aunt so and so, and Uncle so and so.

I remember the days when our family consisted of mom, and dad (deceased since 1980) and four kids and we always went to my paternal grandparents home for Easter.  That was yesterday and the memories hold the history of our family dynasty.  I remember where all my dad's sisters and brother, coupled with grandma and grandpa's brothers and sisters would all join at a designated time at the city park on Easter afternoon and let all the children hunt for easter eggs. 

It wasn't the easter egg hunt that was so important but the acknowledgement of our family and friends joining to celebrate the day, as a family.  One particular year we found that one of our cousins had caught polio.  As children, we only knew that something really bad happened to him, but we were made very aware of his condition at an easter egg hunt when our uncle pushed Giles around to search for eggs in his wheel chair.  Maybe we didn't know it then, but we were learning about tragedy and how families united to form strength at such events.  It was renewed hope for all of us that we could endure anything as long as we were united.

Today, most of that original family has passed away; however, I see all of them so vividly that this easter message is coming so easy for me to write.  I see so many of my own character traits have developed from that union of family.  As I began writing this article you noticed I told of who got in the car to go to mom's for Easter dinner, on Sunday.  I realized how important it is to accept the members of your family and to know that whatever memories you have this Easter will follow you for years to come.

If you don't have a family to be with on Easter, dye some Easter eggs, buy some candy and an Easter basket, get in your car and go to the park or civic gathering place to celebrate with others.  I'm sure you can find a family to share your basket of love with and make memories for years to come.

I hope you feel the presence of our community extended to your family  this Easter.

Happy Easter,
 

Deb Nyberg