This Easter was a busy one, at work and personally. Being an administrative assistant in a small but vibrant parish, I wear many hats in respect to supporting several ministries as well as the pastor and office manager. In addition, one of my sister’s entered the Catholic church at Easter vigil making Holy Week extra special and extra busy in our personal lives.

As I spent time reflecting on the ever-present conflict of the spiritual and commercial aspects of Easter, I couldn’t help but recall the Easters growing up, especially when I came across Easter eggs – crafts and otherwise. Suddenly, I realized that my mom didn’t just cook and bake at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She also provided a wonderful Easter meal – which I nor my siblings recall very well as I believe our memories have always been focused on the Easter egg hunts.

Momma used to boil the eggs, dye them, and hide them for us to find later. As we grew, she would let us help her in the ways that interested us, whether it was dying or hiding them for the youngers. We all loved the fun colors and, of course, eating the insides later when she made her famously delicious deviled eggs.

Momma also used plastic eggs filling them with candies, at times, although I’m not sure when she did what. I mostly remember the coloring of eggs, the egg hunts, and then finally her tasty deviled eggs. She made other food, like potato salad, but the deviled eggs were definitely my favorite.

It’s memories like these that brings home to me the meaning of the word, Querencia. Thinking back on those Easters of long ago brings to mind – and heart – a warm feeling of love. I am so honored and appreciative that my mother took time to provide her children with happy memories to carry us forward into our own families even when she clearly was not happy with her own life.

Not being what I consider a cook or baker myself, I don’t recall ever attempting to dye eggs for my own son when he was little. But I did make a point to have plenty of candy-filled plastic eggs on hand. In fact, I still have a huge popcorn can filled with those same eggs. Sorry, no candy! I had planned to pass the eggs onto my son for his children to enjoy, yet I still have them. I hope to give them to my grandchildren for their children if they have any. If not, I believe donating them to a local children’s home or retirement facility might be a good idea.

What are some Easter memories you can recall? Did your mom and dad make your Easters special? Did you experience dying or coloring boiled eggs? Did you get to enjoy Easter egg hunts? I hope you have fond Easter memories that you can share with others and maybe even pass on ideas for them to share with their loved ones.

When we were little, we didn’t go to church. But as we got older and started going to a local non-denominational church, we started observing Easter as the day Jesus rose back to life on the third day. We began to see hunting Easter eggs as looking for Jesus after he rose from the grave. Whereas some people like to argue about what is spiritual and what is commercial, I choose to accept that the fun of Easter egg hunts complement the Easter story.

Whatever you believe, I hope you will see the love your parents or grandparents put into providing loving memories for you. Sometimes, I don’t think we pause long enough, or take sufficient time, to appreciate the memories our parents tried to create for us growing up. We all had our experiences filled with commitments and responsibilities. Plus, society has continued to push us along on a busy road to self-satisfaction where time is both a commodity and a scarcity rather than a time to just be and enjoy life as it unfolds.

It is when we slow down and allow time to let us reminisce on loving memories that we can say we were loved, had a good home, and can replicate these memories for our loved ones. Having said that, I just might dye eggs one day and can certainly make deviled eggs for our next family gathering.

If I looked real hard, I might be able to find a photo of our Easter Egg Hunts when I was a kid. And I’m certain I’d find several of when my grandchildren were little. But mainly, the memories live in my heart and mind and I treasure taking them out to reflect on when I can’t sleep or I’m missing my mom, siblings, son, or grandbabies. There’s nothing like recalling the fun and love while building those memories.

What is one thing you can do to share a loving holiday memory with someone? Easter is past but it will come around next April. And we have Mother’s Day up ahead of us in May and Father’s Day in June. And there’s Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Flag Day coming up soon as well. Holidays aren’t just to give us one more thing to do. Holidays are for giving us the opportunity to grow together in connection, love, and strength as a family and circle of friendship.

I pray and hope you will want more querencia in your life, that feeling of home, safety net, hope, and love. And whether you are reminiscing about Easter or another holiday that you will take a little of that nostalgia and pass it along to those currently in your life. By sharing those moments of fondness and closeness, we can build up our current relationships. As some of us have learned, cultivating our relationships is important for a healthy heart and mind, today and every day.

Start now and share that feeling of home with someone you love and treasure. When you do, you will be building memories that last a lifetime. I know, as my mother did that very thing for me.

Love & hugs, Virg