Easter on the Farm

 With Easter upon us, thoughts turn to chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and tales of the Easter bunny. From colouring eggs and decorating baskets, to early morning egg hunts and special services and meals, Easter is even more fun with kids, even if they aren’t my own. I remember these childhood traditions like it was yesterday and even though Easter isn’t just about bunnies, baskets and egg hunts, what a fun way for kids to enjoy the holiday. 

Scanning the barn yesterday morning and trying to remember all the places my dad (I mean the Easter bunny…) used to hide eggs brought back so many memories.  I visualized all the places Vikki and I would run to and grapple over the biggest eggs. Eggs in haybales, eggs up the ladders, eggs in the holes of wooden beams, and anywhere else that required a little safe climbing.  I planted some a little too high, for the adult eye (or mouth), but the girls would have to reach or get a lift from grandpa.  In most cases as they reach for one, they drop the rest out of their baskets, which just make for more surprises!  More eggs!  This only works because they are two, but next year I won’t be able to fool them and will need a bigger budget.

I wondered why a “bunny” hides the eggs, since bunnies are nowhere to be found in biblical scriptures, but it hasn’t stopped the cute creatures from becoming associated with the tradition.  I’m sure the rabbit has symbolism and there are early depictions of floppy eared creatures delivering eggs to Christian families, just like various Christmas traditions around the world.  I understand the reasoning of Easter, but not the symbolism of eggs and bunnies and am waiting for the day when my niece asks why it isn’t a hen delivering the eggs, since they do all the other days of the year! 

I heard my aunt say, it’s easier to see these milestones now as a grandma because as a busy mom you are present for them but miss them when you’re occupied, as you are scurrying about trying to help rather than standing back and observing.  It must have been nice for my parents to see Sadie running around being silly and eating eggs, racing to the next colourful tin foil to claim it as hers. 
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What a magical Easter for the kids, full of chocolate, lambs, piglets, puddles and mud - all good things, especially when you’re two!