My Easter Story

I was raised without the formal practice of any religion. There were no major holidays to indulge in during the calendar year, they were neither observed nor forbidden.  Such things simply existed to fuel the retail industry and were considered completely unnecessary to the spirit.

I wasn't encouraged neither to blame nor to thank God for any days happenings.  Disaster was mourned and accomplishment congratulated. Life was simply a mystery, and as such, accepted and born with the great weight of it's contents squarely set on personal action and responsibility. 

While this may seem odd and out of place in the typical household, for me, it was normal.  While questions were welcomed, and information free, Bible stories were read along with all the popular children's stories. I sang Christmas carols in school along with my peers, but they held no particular meaning outside the beauty of the music and the ritual of an evenings entertainment in concert. 

There was no anti-deity indoctrination, and no prejudice of race, color nor creed.  One day while seated at the soda fountain in Kresge's, better known as 'the dime store', I watched two young men holding hands, smiling  and behaving much like any male/female couple.  While I remember being surprised, I was too young to grasp the world of relationships and it had no big moment of any right nor wrong doing. I was neither swayed nor confused. 

While I was not cradled in a belief system, none were forbidden. We did not pray before a meal, we thanked my mother for preparing it. Simple and basic.  Honesty, caring, love, and civility in all matters of living were the order of life.  We didn't argue nor fight, overindulge in vices and we were responsible for what we did and what we did not do. I didn't feel the disapproval of heaven as a reason not to lie or cheat or steal.  It just didn't occur to me as wise nor practical.  We respected all people and didn't voice any harshness towards anyone who found their own basic truths. 

I have a sister who was 18 when I was born. I really do not remember living with her in our house, as she married young.  She was raised religiously,  with the practice of going to church and all it's details. She went on to believe in the universe and enveloping oneself in the white light.  We have gone our separate paths by mutual agreement. 

My parents did not share their personal beliefs of religion nor politics, and I was told their ages were, not relevant.  Their anniversary was, simply not any of my concern. and yet they were very devoted to one another.  Not knowing how old they actually were, kept misconception about aging to a minimum.  

Of course, in due time I learned all of these things and was not at all surprised that my parents would've celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary the year my mother passed away.

Both of my parents were celebrated at their passing in the church, having revealed deep spirituality.  My father not only converted to our family practice of the Catholic faith at 92 years old, but my husband was his Godfather. While my sister attended those services, she did not participate in any way outside of that. She has never asked the location of their burial site. 

The year I turned 5, I wanted very much to celebrate Easter.  Not as the traditional religious holiday, but I wanted an Easter basket and I wanted to dye eggs.  I had no idea how this done but one night, while my parents slept, I got out a dozen eggs from the fridge, carefully colored them with crayons and...hid them all over the house.  I placed an egg in the toe of each of my father's slippers, and as dawn broke, I started shouting, "The Easter Bunny has come!"  My father jumped up, shoved his feet in his slippers and.....what a surprise......I had neglected to hard boil the eggs. We spent quite some time trying to locate all the eggs, but missed one.  That egg was discovered much later.  You really don't want to hear about that. 

I did not practice that particular way of life past childhood.  I celebrated with pomp, circumstance, belief and wide eyed wonder, with conscious decision. My children were raised as Christians, but with respect to all people and their beliefs.  My parents attended all religious services and celebrations in our household with great joy, as well as attending concerts featuring any of us or secular ceremonies. 

My point in sharing this is, God whispered faith in my ear.  I felt Him and I knew Him, and his Son. No one led me nor converted me nor bullied me to be a Christian. God is capable of reaching any person, in any lifestyle, at any time HE chooses and He is not weak, nor to be buried beneath the beliefs of other people.  He is not to be confused with the gifts under the tree, nor a turkey, ham or new clothes.  Jesus rose, despite anyone recognizing that and, the simple fact is, no sacrifice devised by man could equal the one God made to redeem man.  He simply loves us, no matter what.  That really is faith. 

Respectfully submitted, with no advice to anyone, just my journey.

Mary