I didn’t know from what hole the thing had crawled, but it was clearly not of this world. The hands were small and human, but the head was nothing short of disturbing. It was enormous and loomed above me with a perpetually grinning, funhouse mouth that stayed frozen when it talked with its too-happy girl voice like some great, furry pink mutation. The thought of this freakish hybrid sneaking around my house in the middle of the night hiding anything—even baskets of candy—was terrifying.
Bad enough they dragged you every December to sit on some strange, hairy man who smelled of sweat and old wool and moth balls. I told my mother that this creature didn’t look at all like the Easter Bunny, and no way was I going near it, least of all to sit on its lap. Then I dug in my new patent leather Mary Janes and braced for the fight.
But to my absolute shock, my mother agreed. Then she laughed. It was creepy, she giggled, and she was sure the real Easter Bunny didn’t look at all like that. So we turned [cotton] tail and left.
To this day, this is one of my best holiday memories ever, allowing Easter to remain a pure, no-frills holiday that brought lovely things, like candy you didn’t have to ring doorbells for and tiny daffodils and crocus that sprouted along the church sidewalk. And those hats, like sailboats for your head with kite tails that blew in the cool spring wind.
Happy Easter. Do you have a favorite Easter or spring memory?
Yes, that Lent was finally over and the candy that I gave up (not to eat) could be gobbled down, along with all the candy from the Easter basket. But what I really liked was that my mom would sew a new dress for my little sister and me. They'd be identical except for the color. Oh yeah and one year my mom made jello eggs, but not with molds like we have now. She took real eggs and some how blew out all the egg, then filled the tiny hole with jello. I was really impressed, even as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI had to read Lynn's comment, and the jello eggs sound intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's my favorite, but it IS the Easter memory that has stuck the most. One year, my brother (younger) and I went on an Easter egg hunt. There were kids swarming all over the grounds where it was held. I remember my brother found an egg, and another kid just snatched it out of his hands. It was brutal out there...
"candy you didn't have to ring doorbells for..." you always make me chuckle. And the hats with kite tails ...what a perfect description.
ReplyDeleteSpring brings longer days, and that makes me stay awake longer :)
I don't remember there being an Easter bunny for photo ops...it was only the scary old bearded guy.
ReplyDeleteI do recall an Easter when we kids were pre-adolescent, wise, and worldly. Grandma had hidden eggs but we were too cool to find them. Therefore, our parents proceeded to do the egg-hunting while we watched in amazement.
Pat
Critter Alley
Not exactly a favorite memory, but here goes. When my boys were around 9 and 12, we took two dozen colored eggs to my mom's house for a centerpiece for Easter dinner.
ReplyDeleteWhile the adults were sitting around digesting through the afternoon, I heard a commotion in the front yard. My mom had rounded up my souvenir bat from a childhood Cardinals game, engraved with the signature of Phil Gagliano, and was PITCHING OUR COLORED EGGS to my boys and their cousins. Oh, the carnage!
I am still a bit miffed. She could have at least drug out my sister's Dal Maxvill.
Lynn, I too am intrigued about those Jello eggs. Now I know where you get your talents!
ReplyDeleteSioux, I've seen those brutal egg fights along with a few pinata fights. I don't know how well they really reveal what a kid's character will be like, but in this case I really do think the kid with the least candy wins....
Me too, Linda! I thought I was the only one.
What a cute story, Pat. Bet they had a great time, too!
Val, I had to read that a couple of times to make sure it was MOM pitching those eggs. Still laughing at that one. Prized bat or not, she sounds like a gem!
Your memories always stir more of my own and love your descriptions. My Easter memory... being dressed in our wonderful spring Easter outfits and then covering them all up with winter gear. It snowed 6" over night. :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
The egg hunt was always the big deal. It went on for HOURS, and the hiding spots were crazy creative (in the fireplace flue, inside an air vent, behind the water filter inside the fridge). Fun times!
ReplyDelete