This is the world’s second Easter during a pandemic. I don’t think any of us ever envisioned that we’d still be in the throes of this horrific disease and all of the ramifications it brings to our daily lives when we celebrated Easter last year, separated from our families.
Last Year’s Easter Butterfly
I wrote a post then, The Easter Butterfly, about a chrysalis we saw emerging into its new butterfly body over Easter weekend. It gave us hope, as Easter and spring always do.
“And then, all of the sudden, it flew away, wafting on the breeze high above the cypress trees, its wings fluttering a timeless message: fear not, only believe.“
The Easter Butterfly, 2020, Glover Gardens
And now, here we are again, one year later. Much of the world is still in lockdown to prevent the still-rampant spread, but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. In our empty-nest household, we’ve each had our first shot and will get the second ones soon, and we rejoice that millions of others are getting vaccinated even as we are still vigilant about taking precautions.
A Quiet Easter at Little House in the Rockies
We’re celebrating Easter quietly again this year, having driven the 16 hours from Glover Gardens to Little House in the Rockies starting on Good Friday. It was peaceful crossing the flatlands of West Texas, thinking of better days to come as we started the ascension into the mountains of New Mexico, then Colorado. Bright blue skies with cottony clouds pulled us north-westward, accompanied by podcasts, music and audio books.
And now, we’re here at Little House, and today is Easter. At our altitude of 9,997 feet atop Indian Mountain, melting snow is busily feeding streams that flow into Tarryall Creek, and the winter-bare aspen trees will soon bud out with their soft, fluttery, lime-green leaves. Mt. Silverheels stands stately in the distance, resplendent with its crown of pristine snow.
Fence Posts with an Easter Message
Returning from a walk yesterday, I saw our fence posts and stopped to contemplate them. They seemed to be a set of crosses with a message: Spring is here, the tomb is empty, and resurrection, rebirth and new growth are real. Hold on to your faith, keep doing the right thing, and know that you are not alone, not now, not in the past year during COVID-19, not ever, for the Living Hope celebrated at Easter is always with you and within you.
Happy Easter to you and yours.
© 2021, Glover Gardens
Happy Easter.
A couple of thoughts. It appears that most of the country thinks the pandemic is over. For the first time in 18 months we went to the Quarters. We happened upon the parishioners coming out of St. Louis Cathedral after the Stations of the Cross. Not one person wore a mask. Not one person tried to social distance. The archbishop was hugging and kissing people.
Because I’m a jerk, I had to say something. I gave the archbishop the teacher’s evil stink eye. He saw it and asked if I had a problem, to which I answered, I do — with you. Then I proceeded to dress him down about distancing and masking as only a former military officer can do. NOJO burst out laughing. He turned red, then purple and couldn’t speak. I smiled and said Happy Easter and walked away.
Other thought. Why do you hate Texas?
Happy belated Easter to you and yours, my friend!
On your first thought, I read your post yesterday and it really got me thinking. (I have time to do that, think and reflect, when we’re here in the mountains.) It was about the true nature of leadership and being a role model, which that archbishop did not do, and situational leadership, which is what you did. You saw an unsafe situation being modeled and called a leader out on it, a take on “if you see something, say something”. It’s scary, sad and almost criminal that someone in a leadership position like that with responsibility for shepherding souls doesn’t understand the impact of their actions and the messages signaled by their behaviors. I haven’t commented yet, but really liked your post, and will go there and say the same things I’ve said here. For Glover Gardens readers, here’s a link: https://laskowitzpictures.org/2021/04/03/mother-of-muses/ .
On your last thought, what a delightfully provocative question. I definitely don’t hate Texas, but am very interested in the reason for the question.
Happy Easter!
Happy belated Easter to you, Anabel! I really appreciate your good wishes, and also really liked your March roundup post. I always learn something when I visit your blog, and am so glad I gallivanted to Glasgow back in the day and made your virtual acquaintance.