Easter is a holiday that has undergone many transformations over the centuries, and it means
various things to a multitude of people. The name alone has cause for contention, but it is certainly
ancient: Whether it hails from the pagan goddess Eostre, is Latin for the dawn or even evolved from an
Old High German word, which predates English itself, no one can agree. What we do know is that Easter
has been a reason for celebration around the globe for many lifetimes.
A significant holiday in the Christian calendar, Easter is also notably related to the Jewish holy day
of Passover. In addition, Easter is inextricably linked to the lunar cycle, falling on or after the first full
moon after the spring equinox. As well as many religious rituals that are observed during this time, there
are also a number of secular traditions that have come to be associated with the holiday. Easter eggs and
the Easter Bunny, a roast lamb or feast, greeting cards, candies, chocolate … many of these images also
hold deep iconography that would take their own article to explain, but are, to some degree, indulged by
families either in addition to the religious aspect or completely separate from it. Easter today has become
something of an à la carte celebration: it isn’t unusual for many families to attend an Easter egg hunt or to
dye eggs and hang decorations but prefer to skip Sunday services altogether. Others still may gather for a
meal but eschew the overt religious overtones. In essence, the holiday can be viewed as a time to observe
a religious holiday … or a family one.
In light of such a major yet ambiguous time of celebration, it only stands to reason that many
families make their own traditions to commemorate the day. As people grow and change throughout the
years, the bonds of family shift. Easter, the season and holiday of rebirth and renewal in almost all faiths,
cultures and even the world at large, may be most painful for those who are left behind. When children
grow up and the ways in which we celebrate take on new forms, many of our most vulnerable friends and
family members quietly stop attending. In the fever of a busy life, it can be easy to lose track of who is
where and how long it has been since everyone has been at a gathering.
A holiday like Easter can be the perfect time to check in with older family members who may have lost interest or mobility. There may be shy family members or people who have moved away and are not able to voice how lonely they are. What better time than now to honor a holiday of new beginnings and reach out to those most in need of attention and love? It only takes a call or a quick text to help someone remember they are loved. Who can you invite back into your life this Easter?
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