Happy Easter!

I'm so proud that we've been able to successfully celebrate each holiday /holy day as if we would when Mom was alive.

We have not skipped a beat!

Holy Saturday played out flawlessly with last minute baking, cooking and then the blessing of the food! I took the liberty to toss in a few family pictures and a few other important mementos with the wine, cheese, butter, salt, meats, eggs, candy, breads, horseradish, and so much more!

Then taking the baskets to church with candy-filled plastic eggs for all the kids attending all of the Easter services. I'm sure their parents will be so thrilled!

You walk into church and immediately are overcome with the beautiful scent of all the lovely flowers. Every Mass was delightful. And it's always nice to see people who may not come to Mass that often, or attend other churches but love OLP and come home for the really special occasions.

Easter Sunday just a beautiful day!

The only flaw is that Uncle Bill is in the hospital. My Aunt and I visited with him for a while before we headed to our big family dinner. It's hard to see someone you love sick, with really no chance of ever getting better.

Unfortunately, my family has seen this too often. I know, when you begin getting older and everyone around you is even older, it's a way of life. I'm glad I've been able to visit with my Uncle regularly! Uncle Bill is our 'father figure.' He always has been and will always be. It's very hard seeing our 'father figure' dying so soon after Mom passed away.

It was nice spending the day with the family again out at the farm. There were even more chickens this year than at Thanksgiving. And little Sereta.

It was a very late night. Later than I expected. Too much food, as usual.

Most of the stuff I made DID taste like Mom's --except the bread which did not rise quite as much but everyone was very nice pretending to like it! Aw, just toss it in the toaster with some butter, and it'll be fine!

Trust me, even with all the adversity over the last 15 months, I know how lucky and blessed I am....and thank God every single day.