Recreating an annual picture.
I had a lovely start to Easterthis morning. You know how girls talk about the BFF? Mine really is—BarbaraAshcraft has been my BFF probably for over seventy years. This morning, Iwakened to her email which was a quote from music we sang in choir when we wereabout ten or twelve: “One early Easter morning, I wakened with the birds.” Ianswered with the next line: “And all around lay silence/Too deep for earthlywords.” No need to say anymore.

Easter is a glorious day ofhope—but it can also be exhausting. By mid-afternoon, I was exhausted and feltthe day was over. But such a wonderful day. We went to the nine o’clock service—morecrowded than usual but not bad. The music was glorious. I said I’d go to churchjust for the processional, “Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia!” and thebenediction, which was the “Hallelujah Chorus.” But it was good to be there inperson and hear the inspiration of the service and sense the fellowship. At onepoint Christian and I thought we heard a dog panting, but no one else believesus.

I really noticed somedifferences between being present and attending through Zoom. It is impressiveand comforting to be in that gorgeous sanctuary and nothing can compare withhearing the music live—they had brass as well as our terrific choir. I hold mybreath at the high notes of the “Hallelujah Chorus” every time, but they madethem. But you don’t get that up-close view—I couldn’t see the brass at all, notcould I see the expressions on faces. I like in-person better, but I feel sofortunate to have the alternative on “ordinary” Sundays.Girls version
I felt like the queen bee, because everyone
came to have their picture taken with me.

Back at the house, Jordan put togetheran incredible brunch for twelve and set a beautiful table with thegold-and-white Royal Doulton my mom got me when I was a teen, along withgold-washed flatware. It was potluck, and we had ham, “funeral potatoes” (that wonderfulrich casserole) broccoli salad, fruit, and of course deviled eggs. Mycontribution was hot cross buns, but I note no one else likes them as much as Ido. And wine. Of course we had wine. It was a noisy, happy laughter-filledevent, everything Easter should be.Jordan's table

Now I am marooned in thecottage, having left my phone in the house by mistake. I can’t ask for leftoversfor my supper, can’t even adjust my hearing aids. Can’t check to see if myother kids are at their homes, let alone call them. I’ve emailed a bunch offriends asking them to call Jordan, but not many read their email on a holiday Sundaynight. One friend reports she called and got voice mail, so I gave herChristian’s phone number. But I imagine they are both napping (which I didearlier), so I hope they check their messages when they wake up. And I’mwatching like a hawk for Jacob to come home or for Jordan and Christian tobring the dog out to potty.

I started this post with aquote and will leave you with another that I really like. This is from JohnRoedel, who I’ve never heard of but now I intend to investigate—he has apparentlypublished books about his conversations with God as he tries to figure out life,his faith, raising children, and so on. “A dozen angels have started living inthe holes in my heart. They have put up hammocks and started growing roses—” There’smore, but now I can’t find it. I particularly like that opening image.Does this look like mischief afoot?