Over the years our children were growing up, Easter was a time of great expectation and sugar-fueled activity. Egg hunting was an intense competition with older siblings garnering mountains of eggs and candy-filled plastic egg containers. Little ones were “aided” by grunts and pointing from various helpful adults with hints of “getting closer” and “look over here.” There would be a line up of child “contestants” and then like a rodeo or horse race, at a given signal everyone would pour out of the chute. Afterwards, joyous scarfing of hunt results filled Easter afternoon, not to be outdone by the traditional scrumptious Easter dinner. Despite some documented forays into little ones’ baskets by large adults, appetites seemed not to be affected.
Grandma and Grandpa’s house was the primary spot for Easter celebrations for the Parrish clan. There was one memorable Easter that was celebrated at Pajaro Dunes with egg hunting on the clubhouse lawn and in nearby shrubs. A photo shows a five year-old Becca, replete with new Easter outfit, sitting on the clubhouse lawn, seemingly exhausted from her hunting. There exists a picture of Daniel, two years old, clad in red feet pajamas, nibbling on the ears of a chocolate bunny in our trailer at Powell, Idaho. That Easter would have been celebrated in the pine and fir clad fastness of the Clearwater National Forest. In the same time frame, five year old Cece is posing for the camera, demurely holding up her basket with chocolate bunny still intact and in the box. Her coy expression, however, holds no hope for the survival of bunny for long.
In later years, nutrition-wise parent substituted items like books and toys for sugar. Grandma continued to be the pipeline for goodies and new spring outfits. No doubt G+G will always be thought of as synonymous with the Easter Bunny’s largesse.
JP 12-21-2011
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