Easter Memories

Since Easter is upon us, I figured I’d “share” some of my most favorite Easter memories.

1. Having to dress up in a tan 3-piece suit as a child that made me look like a slice of poundcake with buttons. I hated this suit with a passion. I’d probably beat myself up if I ever saw myself wearing this suit again. Not only did I have to go to church with this suit, but I also had to search for Easter eggs in my back yard still wearing this ridiculous outfit (and no, Jeff, my parents didn’t make me wear Lederhosen for Easter).

2. Going over my uncle’s house and eating a bowl of ketchup … OK, there’s a story here, and most of you have probably heard it, but let me go over it quickly again. I absolutely hate ham – this has never been a secret in my family. Unfortunately, my aunt and uncle decided that they would not have any alternative dinner choices available for me – no chicken nuggets, no PBJ, no hot dogs, no nothing – just a big ol’ disgusting ham, and some sides. I was so upset by this (I’m a stubborn jerk sometimes), I refused to eat anything. My mom was saying things like, “Well, at least have some corn … or some string beans, or some noodles …” I nixed every suggestion. Finally, somebody at the table sarcastically said, “why don’t you just have a bowl of ketchup,” which was received with a round of laughter. Not to be outdone, I took that person up on the suggestion, and poured myself a bowl of ketchup, and slurped it down with a spoon. That’ll show ‘em!

3. Being absolutely amazed that the Easter Bunny had access to keys to get into our house in order to hid Easter eggs on a rainy day. I may have been around 5 at the time (or maybe younger), and wasn’t excited about getting soaked trying to find those hand-painted (or dyed, or whatever) rabbit eggs. My mom informed me that the bunny somehow got inside and hid the eggs in the basement. At the time, I was excited about the ingenuity and creativeness this hare showed. It would probably freak me out now.

4. Going up to my cousin’s house (he lived up the street) dressed up in some kind of suit … Not a big deal on the surface. However, it was rainy. Still, no big deal. My cousin asked if I wanted to play football … again, wouldn’t have been a big deal if (a) I brought a change of clothes, or (b) if my cousin allowed me to wear some of his clothes. Nope, I played tackle football out in the rain in a dress clothes … I thought I’d be able to dodge people, not get tackled, and stay relatively mud-free. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and I sullied the suit. My mom was so happy to see me that night.