Easter Traditions

On facebook, my friend Darlene Glick posted some sweet Easter memories from her growing-up-years and invited others to do the same in her comment section. I responded that I’d have to write a blog posting because of so many different and fun memories. So here we go... 



Typical Easter preparations, excluding egg-coloring (which was a job done on the night before Easter, with Mother using food coloring in our Boontonware teacups). 


Mother made sure there were new hats and dresses for my sister and me, new shoes and socks...and new white gloves. She also made sure we both had fresh curls in our hair, which she usually gave us by way of smelly perms on the Saturday afternoon before we colored eggs in the evening.

I remember going to Sunrise Services in our pajamas, all bundled up in blankets...and it would always be dark when we arrived. Daddy and Mother would let us sit in the back of the station wagon, with the door open...or in the trunk, where we’d listen to the music and the devotional while watching the sunrise on Easter Sunday morning.

When I became a mother, I loved getting Easter baskets ready for Hannah Beth and her daddy. And as she got older, we began a tradition that was a bit unusual. It all came about by accident, when I waited until 9:00 on the eve of Easter to begin making her dress for church the next day. For many years, that’s the way we did it. Hannah would pick out the fabric she wanted and I’d wait until the night before and stay up sewing till it was done. How did I fit it to her? She’d be sound asleep and I’d pull the cover back, lay the dress or skirt over her to mark where the hem should be...then finish the outfit and hang it in her room to surprise her on Easter morning! It was a fun tradition. I kind of miss it...



Now she’s going to be a mother in late August and will be starting fun traditions over the years to come! She’s so creative, I can’t wait to see what she’ll do!

But the most important tradition of all...one that I learned as a child and taught to mine...is to rejoice on Easter morning for the Father who sent the Son who went to a cross and laid in a tomb and then on the third day, arose! He said He would, and He did! Hallelujah!!!





Remember...
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Make your life count!

The Guest Bedroom at Rivermont

Because of recent speaking engagements I’ve had the opportunity to spend a few nights at Rivermont...the home my daughter and her husband share in Knoxville, Tennessee. It’s a great big rambling house with huge rooms and a great history. The place was built around 1904 and has only had a few families make their home there. Hannah and James are currently remodeling the kitchen. (Our son-in-law is not afraid to tackle anything! And he does it all well! Can you tell I’m impressed by him?!?) If you’re interested in knowing more about the Slaughters, visit www.hannahandhusband.com

The furniture in their guest room was purchased in 1963. For a few years, it was in my parents’ bedroom...then it became my furniture! It’s built from a blonde, curly Maple that seems heavy as lead! I stood in front of that tall mirror on the dressing table to check myself out before school, church, dates, proms, etc. That table, bed, and nightstand remained in my room from the time I was a girl, and until I moved away from home. After our daughter was born, and my parents were retiring/downsizing, they gave it to her. Hannah slept in that bed for several years. She recuperated from scoliosis surgery in that bed at the age of 14…even attending classes at her middle school via the computer for three months! She did lots of studying, drawing, reading, talking on the phone, sleeping and dreaming in that bed...just like her mother did so many years before.

And now it’s in the guest room upstairs, ready to welcome the next one who’ll enjoy a wonderful night’s sleep in that bed! Pretty soon, though, it’ll be moved to a guest room downstairs because that room will become a nursery. That’s right. My baby is going to have a baby in late August.

And for a short while, that newborn baby will be sleeping in the cradle where Hannah’s paternal grandmother slept in 1915. Then, it will be sleeping in the oak crib Hannah slept in from 1985 to 1987.

We are beside ourselves with happiness for them...and for us! When they shared the news with us in February, my hubby looked down, patted his rounded belly and said, “I knew something must be going on because I’m already showing!!!”

We’re excited for our children. Wanted to share the news with you, so you could share the joy with us!




Remember...
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Make your life count!