Easter Sunday has always been a special day for our family, filled with Mass, brunch, and Easter egg hunts. One of the most heartwarming traditions was the annual Easter corsage for my mother. This tradition began when I was a child. My father was a selfish man, and he never gave my mother the love, respect, or companionship she deserved. At the age of nine, I wanted her to know how wonderful and precious she was to our family, and I wanted to show her how much I loved her. On the Saturday before Easter, I walked to the florist with my hard-earned allowance stuffed into my homemade crochet purse to pick out a corsage for my mother to wear to Easter Sunday Mass.
My mother was so surprised! Her eyes sparkled with tears of joy as she saw the beautiful corsage I had chosen just for her. She hugged me tightly, and I could feel her gratitude and love in that embrace. From that day on, the Easter corsage became a cherished tradition, symbolizing the special bond we shared and the love that held our family together despite the challenges we faced.
The tradition of picking out the perfect Easter corsage has been lovingly passed down to my children, Kathleen and Brogan. Since they could walk and talk, they’ve been “helping” choose the perfect corsage for Grandma Pat, often with hilarious results. Kathleen, with her love for anything pink, would always insist on roses, while Brogan, ever the adventurer, would opt for the most unusual flowers he could find—once even suggesting dandelions! Their personal choices made the process a delightful mix of chaos and charm, reminding us that the perfect corsage is not just about the flowers but the memories we create together.
Easter Sunday holds an even deeper significance for us now that Grandma Pat has passed. We remember her for the corsages she wore and the love and warmth she brought into our lives. Her Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her existence, and she instilled in us the values of compassion, kindness, and devotion. As Catholics, we find solace in the belief that she is now in the presence of our Lord, watching over us with her gentle smile.
Easter Sunday is a time of resurrection and renewal, a reminder of the eternal life promised to us through Jesus Christ. It is a day to celebrate life’s triumph over death and honor the memories of those who have gone before us. As we gather for Mass and reflect on the sacrifice of our Savior, we also remember the personal sacrifices and acts of love that have shaped our lives. The corsages for Grandma Pat are a beautiful example of this love, a tradition that continues to inspire us and remind us of the importance of family and faith.
In remembering Grandma Pat, we celebrate her life and the legacy she left behind. Her memory lives on in the corsages, laughter, and love that bind us together. This Easter Sunday, as we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we also honor the resurrection of our cherished memories, holding them close to our hearts and finding comfort in the promise of eternal life.
Encouraging children to have their own Easter traditions can be a wonderful way to deepen their faith and create lasting memories. Involving them in activities like decorating the house with religious symbols, participating in the Stations of the Cross, or even helping to prepare a special Easter meal can make the holiday more meaningful.
You can encourage them to create Easter crafts, such as drawing scenes from the Resurrection story. From year to year, these activities make Easter fun and help children understand and appreciate the day’s significance in a Catholic context. Creating an ongoing book of drawings
depicting scenes from the Resurrection story can be a wonderful and meaningful Easter tradition for children. Here are some instructions to get started:
Materials needed:
· Blank sketchbook or scrapbook
· Colored pencils, markers, crayons, or, if you are daring, paints
· Reference images or Bible storybooks
· Stickers, glitter, and other decorative items (optional)
· Date stamps or markers to note the year
Instructions:
1. Choose a sketchbook: Choose a blank sketchbook or scrapbook to serve as the ongoing book. Make sure it's sturdy enough to last several years.
2. Gather supplies: Collect colored pencils, markers, crayons, or paints. To make the pages more vibrant, you might also want stickers, glitter, and other decorative items.
3. Read the Resurrection story: Begin by reading the Resurrection story from the Bible or a children’s Bible storybook. Discuss the key scenes and events with your children.
4. Plan the drawings: Let the child decide on the scenes you want to include in the book. Some ideas might be:
· The empty tomb
· Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene
· Jesus walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus
· Jesus appearing to the disciples in the upper room
· The Ascension
5. Start drawing: Encourage your children to draw each scene on a separate sketchbook page. Let them use their creativity and personal style.
6. Add details: Once the drawings are complete, add any decorative elements like stickers, glitter, or captions. Make sure to date each page to note the year.
7. Reflect and discuss: After each drawing session, take some time to reflect on the scene and discuss its significance. This can help deepen your children's understanding of the Resurrection story.
8. Continue each year: Add new drawings to the book each Easter. As your children grow, their drawings will evolve, creating a beautiful record of their artistic and spiritual journey.
9. Share and celebrate: Share the completed pages with family members during Easter celebrations. This can be a wonderful way to honor the tradition and celebrate the Resurrection together.
Example pages:
Year 1: The empty tomb with an angel and the stone rolled away
Year 2: Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene in the garden
Year 3: Jesus walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus
This ongoing book will become a cherished keepsake, capturing your children’s growth and understanding of the Resurrection story year after year.