It begins with death, of course, on this Good Friday:
"The path of those who preach love, and not hatred, is not easy.
They often have to wear a crown of thorns." --Nelson Mandela
(inside the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium, 2019)
Actually, all of Winter (the season still whimpering like a lion in some places) is also Nature's metaphor for death/hibernation, before Spring's resurrection. I saw it in the hydrangeas I fell in love with. Does Nature teach us not to fear death?
Because Easter really does happen. Easter. Spring. Resurrection.
Spring here in Gorinchem jump-started at the end of January with warm rains.
And then a week later came the snow and ice, putting everything on pause!
A month later, at the beginning of March, things picked up again.
We knew it would!
Every Monday, walking home from grocery shopping, I saw the change.
It took my breath away...more than any other Spring ever.
(Was this one of the pandemic gifts?)
The Lion of Winter, of course, always gives way to the Lamb.
The Promise.
That's when Astrid started working her magic, thinking up how we could make this Easter extra special through the eyes of our wee lambsy-divey granddaughter, Hailey, age 2-1/2.
For several weeks in a row, Astrid blew out the yolks of eggs (Saturday breakfasts for us!),
and saved up the shells for the day she started painting them, March 26.
She painted these at home, practicing with different paints,
making sure everything worked.
Then, last Saturday, off we went to Hailey's house to see if she'd catch Oma's bug!
Even Papa caught it and was a good sport.
Both he AND Oma painted their own egg, with Hailey beside them.
(And in case you're wondering, NO, Oma Ginnie made herself the designated photographer.)
I think we found our new, budding artist!
Don't you just love her blobs/globs of paint?! Why didn't WE think of that?!
"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
--Winnie the Pooh
Oma Astrid knows all about cleanup, after which we ate lunch.
Easter. Spring. Resurrection. Hailey.
I don't know about you but it's all different this year, taking on new meaning.
Gifts for the Soul midst the pandemic that's still not over, especially here in Europe.
(My two Pfizer jabs are scheduled for April 15 and May 20.
Hopefully Astrid's will come shortly thereafter!)
Hailey has grown up so quickly. She is adorable.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful Easter post! Thank you for sharing.
Thank YOU, Marie, for joining the caravan!
DeleteWhat a fine Easter log is this.
ReplyDeleteThe eggs are so beautiful.
En Astrid heeft een geweldig teken talent.
En de foto's met Hailey zijn zo mooi.
Fijn Paasweekend
Hartstikke bedankt, Marjolein. I imagine that you, too, have been finding this Easter/Spring more beautiful than usual!
DeleteWhat a wonderful delightful flowers, Ginnie and I just love all the different colours. This all looks so "Springy". The painted eggs was just so much fun and watching Hailey having fun and Jeroen being such a good sport makes it into a well spent quality time. Thank yu for always documenting these special time. Happy Easter. IHVJ.
ReplyDeleteThe pandemic is making everything so much more special right now, Astrid. This is such a good time to be enjoying our granddaughter! Thank you for everything you did to make this Easter meaningful to us all.
DeleteLovely! We’re still waiting. Fist sprout are barely here.
ReplyDeletet
Before you know it, Spring will be in full bloom there, Ted. Just wait for it!
DeleteI’m in no rush. I love it when the woods are wide open.
DeleteIn that regard, Ted, so do I!
Delete