How different our Easter is from the past. Rachel and I went to church alone since Jared had to work and Joshua lives in another city. We came home and pretty much did what we normally do. No special attention to the day. Yes, we did celebrate yesterday with a pre-Easter barbecue on the patio, but it was nothing like the past.

When I was a kid, my mom bought special new outfits for my sister and me. Patti got a new dress, new shoes, and white gloves. I got a new hat, dress pants, new shoes, and a little dress jacket. We posed for pictures before going to the base and eating an Easter feast at the mess hall. We weren't church going folks- it was totally a secular event. Mom gave us elaborate Easter baskets and hid eggs and jelly beans around the house for us to find. Dinner was a ham, potato salad, and other succulent goodies.

Rachel's family also got the new Easter outfits, but spent their day in church. It was a very special holiday that not only celebrated Christ's resurrection, but also the coming of spring. I don't know much more, but they have tons of photos of Easter celebrations of the past.

With our boys, Easter was a time for dying eggs. We dressed them up and took them to church on Saturday for the decoration of the flower cross. Then, on Easter morning we went to sunrise services to celebrate the religious aspects of the day. I usually grilled a brisket or some other special meal.

Now, in our senior years, the only thing that matters to us is the resurrection. We go to church to celebrate the fact that He is risen. We join in the chorus of Alleluias. But, when we come home, it is back to being a normal day.

Today, I hiked two miles to enjoy a beer at my favorite local brewpub, the Mad Pecker. Throughout my four mile round trip, I couldn't help but notice how many families were having full blown Easter parties in their back yards. They had wonderful things grilling. They had bouncy houses. They had laughter and joy permeating the street. It all just made me sad.

What other events of the year will be lost to us because we are older people with no family to celebrate with? Will it all come back to us when we are grandparents? I seriously wonder about that.