My Easter Parade

Easter parades before my eyes

Memories from all the days gone by

Hunting for eggs in pajamas

Grass on the floor

And in my basket

Donning a dress

Shiny new shoes

A little white purse

My hair in curls

The years marched on

I became a mom

Hiding the eggs

Before the dawn

Waking the children

Watching them search

Dressing them up

And off to church

My babies

My babies

Where have they gone

I turned around and they were grown

Easter always reminds me of time passing.  When my children were small, easter meant filling baskets, cooking dinner, hiding eggs, making easter outfits and, of course, pictures.  I would spend two weeks preparing for easter; buying baskets and candy, filling the candy eggs, counting as I went.  I always wanted to make sure they all had the same amount.  During those two weeks, I would be up late every night sewing or crocheting their outfits.  As they got older they nixed the matching outfits, but I still remember parading around with my beautiful children all dressed alike.  I remember going to the mall for pictures.  People would stop and watch us walk by.  The more they smiled, the taller I walked.

There are some things I just don't like to let go.  I continued to hide easter eggs until they were all out of high school.  Every child was assigned a specific color of egg.  They all had the same number of eggs and pieces of candy.  I would hide the eggs and call the children.  Every year one egg would disappear.  It was a different child's egg every year, but without fail, one would be lost.  You would think that I would know where I had hidden all the eggs minutes before.  Alas, one egg was always lost. 

Although I no longer hide eggs for my kids, I still give them easter baskets every year.  I just don't want to let go.  Handing them the basket every year reminds me of all the years when they were small.  When I hand them the basket I see them one more time in their bright colored sweaters.  I am reminded one more time of the greatest gifts I have ever received. 

This year the parade marches on.  This year I will watch my son hide the eggs.  I will watch my granddaughter search.  And I will watch her discover the glory of plastic eggs with treasures inside.  Today I will see the traditions passed on.  Today I am thankful for my Easter Parade.

Copyright 2011 Ramblings by Dawn.  All rights reserved.