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Why Easter is my favorite holiday

Easter has always been my favorite holiday, hands down. I like it better than my birthday and better than Christmas. Even people who know me are sometimes surprised by this, but they really shouldn't be.

When I was a child, Easter had everything going for it. I liked going to church, especially the children's church portion of the service. When I was very young, before my parents divorced, I seem to recall going every week to church. I loved wearing dresses. So Easter service was extra special, because I got a NEW, extra-frilly dress and sometimes new patent-leather shoes to match. Not to mention the joy of wearing ruffle-butt panties and tights. As a 5-year-old priss, there's not much better than a flouncy pink dress with tights and dressy shoes.

Then there's the whole spring thing going on. I love spring, and Easter, in celebrating new life, uses springtime as part of its symbolism. I love the flowers, the pastel colors, and the joyful celebration of renewal that goes along with Easter. The flowers and baskets and decorations really make me happy.

Thirdly, there's the whole bunny thing. As a kid, I remember being scared of Santa, but not the Easter Bunny. I LOVED stuffed animals, and to me the Easter Bunny was basically a giant stuffy. So I wasn't scared of the Easter Bunny, but thought Santa was a bit of a scary old man. Bunnies are cute and cuddly and sweet. I still love bunnies.

But even as a kid the main reason I loved Easter was for its religious significance. I've always had a very deep and basic spirituality, and it's changed very little over the years. I love the whole celebration of the resurrection and the way we can focus on the gifts and opportunities we've been given. As a kid, I had a bible with a picture of Jesus talking to a group of children, and I loved songs like "Jesus Loves Me." At some point somebody, probably my Grandpa, told me that Jesus is everywhere, but he's invisible. Since then I've always had this sort of picture in my mind of literally an invisible Christ sort of hanging out with me all the time. He's always felt like a very personal friend to me, so celebrating the resurrection has always felt very important and special for me. And that's definitely the major reason why I love Easter so much.

Basically I love everything about Easter. I love the incredible gifts it represents, the symbolism of new life and opportunities and redemption, the celebration of springtime. I love the joy of Easter.

This year I'll miss spending Easter with Andrew, who is one of the few people who really understands why I love this time of year so much. I'll be celebrating quietly, but not alone.

Posted by Erin at April 19, 2003 11:02 PM