April 4, 2010
Easter Reflections
I cannot believe that it is April already. I feel as though Easter has crept up on me. When I was young the season of Lent seemed so long. Now I realize that time is moving quickly; too quickly for me to grasp.
My babies are growing up! Dawson will be six years old in five months. Owen is six months old in two weeks. Each day is so special to me. I savor every moment I can with my boys.
We spend our mornings cuddling in “the big bed” and we often read stories while lounging there in the middle of the day. Dawson is learning how to recognize words in books. Yesterday he read the word “fox” without any prompting and spelled it out. I am so proud of him.
Owen is developing his personality each day. He smiles often, and he has learned how to use his hands; he now grabs for anything in sight. He is also eating solids twice daily now. He’s one hungry baby, too! Rice cereal is his breakfast favorite, and then later in the day we alternate between vegetables and fruits. His favorite is an apple-banana-pear concoction that Gerber makes.
We spent Easter at my parents’ house. Dawson was so excited to participate in an egg hunt that Grandma and Grandpa the Easter Bunny had set up just for him. He loved hunting for eggs all around the lawn and in the woods by Papa’s house. My mother was having a lot of fun just watching Dawson’s excitement. I loved taking photos of the adventure.
My favorite part was when Dawson was running around, searching for the multi-colored eggs. He went to the front yard near the ditch and yelled, “Look! I think I see a blue one!” When he realized it was not an egg after all he said, “Aww, man! It’s just a beer can!” The whole family burst into laughter. It was the funnies thing I’ve heard in awhile. I get such a kick out of the things that Dawson says.
Owen was the center of attention when he wasn’t sharing the limelight with his big brother. Uncle Nathan and Aunt Becky took turns holding the little man. He was so cute when wearing his bunny ears, too.
The best part of Easter (aside from the delicious food) was celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ with family. I have come to appreciate these moments more and more as time goes by.
Last Monday I celebrated the Passover Seder with friends and had a wonderful time reading from the Mishnah (and the children asking the four questions), drinking the four cups of wine (mine was pure grape juice since I’m still nursing), and eating matza. I especially loved the Charoset. I don’t remember ever eating anything similar. The Charoset was made of chopped apples, nuts and cinnamon (from what I tasted, that is, I don’t know the official recipe).
Another interesting part of the meal was bitter herbs or Maror (horse radish) and greens (we had green onions, parsley and celery) dipped in salt water and then eaten. The horse radish was rather strong, I could feel it in my nostrils, but delicious just the same.
While I was raised Catholic, and still practice the religion today, I truly appreciated the Jewish customs. I realized that aside from the differences in customs, there are many connections between the two faiths. I was grateful to be able to connect to the heritage in this ritual.
Now a week later, celebrating Easter with my family truly completed the circle. After dinner at my parents’ we watched a documentary on the History Channel about Jesus and the suffering he endured by being crucified. It’s difficult for me to put it into words, but I truly felt His presence these last few weeks. I have come to understand so much, and still yearn for more knowledge on Catholicism as well as Judaism. I’m eager to learn more.
(I still can’t believe it’s April! Where has the time gone?)
Happy Easter to you all!
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April 7th, 2010 at 6:46 PM, More Strawberry Says:
Owen is HANDS DOWN the cutest baby ever. I want to chew on his cheekies. Please overnight him to St. Looey.