(Gift from Joan Turner)

Dear Reader:

Easter has come and gone again….in waves of spring showers.

The sun actually peeked out for a few minutes yesterday morning while I was picking  flowers in the garden to take (for everyone) to place on the cross at church. I love the concept that, not only, has Jesus risen but everything is now covered in blooms again. Nature’s way of reaffirming that life has conquered death once and for all.

Our own original blooms might wither and fall  one day…but later new buds will emerge and even more beautiful blooms open up to the light and eternal life. The Resurrection of life.

Over the few short years since my children have married and had children….a new family tradition has started. First is church where the grandchildren love putting flowers on the cross. (This year Mollie and Lachlan couldn’t come- Lachlan was sick…we missed them very much.) It was Jakie’s first time to put a flower on the cross…instead he kept picking up the ones that had fallen and playing with them.

Then back home to heat up the food (my official test-taster -Anne) said the ‘funeral potatoes’ were to “die for.”) We had lots and lots of food…. while watching the children open up their Easter Baskets.

Rutledge arrived in his superhero costume…Boo just added the blue bunny ears and he was “Super Bunny”…now for the baskets.

Then the ceremonial Lollipop Bunny’s arrival…Have Eva Cate and Rutledge done enough kind deeds for lollipop seeds to bloom?…YES! In fact they both got two suckers each…they must have been doubly kind this year.

Tommy and Kaitlyn hid the eggs for the after-lunch hunt….and then we ate….a lot and laughed….especially Rutledge who just wanted to be one of the boys with his dad and uncles at the table.

Eva Cate entertained us with dinner music….“Little Bunny Foo Foo“….(John kept trying to skip the number sequence down on the stanzas but to no avail… Eva Cate knows her numbers now and each stanza was sung accordingly in chronological order.)

And then came the hunt…it was only slightly sprinkling and Jakie’s first one walking….

Rutledge was quite successful at the hunt with dad to guide him

Eva Cate has grown into a “pro” with the most experience at this “hunt thing.”

The hunt was over….most of the food put up….things had calmed a little, the “hunters” were even sharing the “spoils” … and then they both realized they had (little $1.00 water pistols in the shapes of sea creatures in their basket- the cheapest item is always the most popular-lesson learned.) It was a close variation of Gunfight at the O.K. Corral!

So after surviving a slightly sprinkley egg hunt with little water damage to clothing….they were soaked from shooting each other with water pistols….I hope you enjoy the irony here.

In the midst of the water torture test Doodle, Harvey, Julie, Carrie, and Kitty Kat arrived…they had to duck to get across the porch to safety.

Poppy and Dee Dee used to host the famous Dingle Easter Egg Hunt for decades and each year it grew bigger and bigger….it was sad when the last grandchild had outgrown the hunt….those are some of my favorite memories.

*These pretty nieces of mine just get more beautiful every time I see them!

It really does take a “village to raise a child” and with all three grandchildren running around on a sugar high… help was wanted and needed.…Uncle Harvey and Jakie played ball and Aunt Doodle took Jakie on a little porch adventure walk.

Tommy and Kaitlyn hid eggs and played with whichever child came closest….

By the time everyone left… Eva Cate and Rutledge were running around the front yard in the pouring rain….completely soaked…having a wonderful time and all the adults just shrugged in resignation…there is always that inner child in us rooting them on into the exhilarating freedom moments of childhood.

Rutledge was the last to leave and he put on his new Easter cap…pin-striped golfing cap…or as Walsh said…his “Poppy” cap.

One can always tell when a party has been successful….the “little” guests’ eyes start drooping as soon as they hit the car (and the big ones wish they could fall asleep too.)

John and Mandy gave me this beautiful pink mandevilla vine with all its gorgeous blooms….I can hardly wait to get it started climbing on my fence. I know, however, that God has blessed me with my many “blooms” in the form of family and friends….children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. My life is one beautiful “blessed” bloom. On this Easter Sunday of 2016….thank you Jesus!

So until tomorrow….My wish for everyone is that all our “blooms be blessed” throughout our lives.

Today is my favorite day- Winnie the Pooh

*Watch out Sports Illustrated.…Jake Turner is getting ready!