Happy Easter!

Here are my Aunt Letha, Uncle Clarence, and Uncle Bob Schaffner on 4-12-09.


This year's Easter weekend was different than any I can remember in recent history. Usually, we get up, see what the Easter bunny left, get ready and go to our church and then go to my inlaws for dinner. But this year, my aunt and uncle had their 50th wedding anniversary on Easter Sunday afternoon clear at the other end of the state from where I live. My daughter and I bowed out of singing in the choir at church, and left my husband home so he could play for the church service and we headed south on Saturday afternoon. At my old home town we had reserved a room at the Super 8, and we met up with my brother and his family and my sister and we went out for supper and ice cream at old family "haunts". Then we went to my brother's and visited until late. On Sunday morning we got up and met my brother and his family and my sister at my brother's church. There, I was so blessed to see a couple of my childhood friends and have a reunion of sorts with them. After church we all went on to the next town where we had reservations for dinner. Then on to the reunion which was very close to the Missouri border. There we got to see all three of my dad's remaining siblings. Every time I see them, I am so blessed by it, but can't help but wonder how many more years I will have them. I love them so much. In my dad's family there were 5 males and 2 females and dad was the oldest of the seven. Our family was a close Christian family and it is always bittersweet to get together and remember the ones who are waiting for us in Heaven. After the anniversary, my daughter and I drove to where I went to church camp for 10 years of my childhood and where I went to church rally for more years than that. It is so weird, how things change. It looked nothing like I remembered, and I am glad there were signs to follow as the road didn't even seem familiar to me. Then we spent the night in a motel in the heart of an Amish settlement and the next morning even though it was raining we got up and went to some Amish shops before heading home. I had a wonderful time with my family and spending time alone with my daughter and reminiscing. But I missed my husband and I missed my home church and our familiar traditions.

Wherever you were and whomever you were with, I hope you were able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. He has truly made all things new! He is risen indeed!