Easter means a lot of things to various people. Traditionally, it is a Christian celebration of our risen Lord. Such a miracle! How did it happen? People often ask this question. My answer - if we knew, it wouldn't be a miracle! It is also celebrated in secular fashion with the Easter Bunny, eggs, baskets, candy, and all kinds of other celebrations. I believe wholeheartedly the two can be mixed, without taking away from the true meaning of Easter, in the Christian sense.
More importantly, for me, anyway, Easter is a time of rebirth. Christ overcame death itself! The very thing that is known to be forever and unchangeable in this world. Makes me think that if Christ could accomplish that, surely our financial, relationship, health, job, family, and other worries can also be overcome. Easter, for me, is a time to start over. Almost like a spiritual New Year's Day. Instead of hats, horns, a giant ball, and more alcohol than is ever necessary, we can celebrate with faith, peace, happy Church music, flowers, and time with family.
My kids were with their dad this week, and my boyfriend, Thom's, girls were with their mother. We decided to take advantage of this quiet weekend to ourselves and go camping before the Texas heat gets too hot to do so. We both love the serenity of the woods, the simplicity of nature, and the joy of just concentrating on the task at hand, instead of the outside world.
What a weekend this was! It started out rocky and we were unsure if it would even happen. I'll be completely honest in saying we got in a huge fight Friday night, making both of us question whether he'd be joining me or not.
Well, I got up Saturday morning, and took my dog to the boarder. I cried as I left him. It was an awful place, and he was so scared! I came home and cried and cried. Through texting we decided Thom and I would go camping together (ahhhh! the joy of forgiveness!). I had finally worked through the tears of betraying my canine buddy, but when Thom got here, it started all over again! He tried to convince me we wouldn't go because I was having such a hard time leaving Charlie. But, I really wanted to go. So, the amazing man that he is, Thom started making some phone calls. Within an hour, Charlie was in a much happier place, without anxiety, ready to play with other dogs! I was ready to go. In case you're wondering, Doggy Day Out in Pflugerville is awesome!
Our trip to the store had a little bump in it; I forgot the shopping list. And, we were running late thanks to having to find another boarder for Charlie. Well it all worked out, and when I checked the list when we returned this morning, we managed to get everything on it! We finally got the cooler packed and headed to Blanco State Park. As was expected, traffic was horrible. There really is no major road to get there, so it was stop and go the whole way. Finally, almost 2 hours later, we arrived! Finally, it was time to start relaxing.
As we pulled in we saw the sign that no Texas camper wants to see. "No wood fires. Burn Ban. Only charcoal or propane grills with tight fitting lids." AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!! How were we to cook? We were 2 hours from home with no grill!!!!! They told us we could go to Dollar General in town, but Thom didn't want to spend more money. "We'll just eat sandwiches for every meal," we agreed. About an hour later we decided to go buy a grill. How else would I experience my first tin foil dinners? Luckily, less than an hour and $20 later, we had ourselves a grill, and a bag of self-lighting charcoal. This was a new experience for Thom, so see, a crisis turned into a horizons-expanding experience :)
After all that was done, and our tent was set up, we went exploring. We walked over the dam without falling over the edge, checked out a nature trail, and investigated the bluest body of water I have seen so far in Texas. We wished it was a little warmer, and we had brought bathing suits, because the swimming set up looked really fun. Next time, we said.
All this was great, but it didn't make the trip. The best part of the trip was having nothing else to do but sit and look at each other, and talk. Finally, we had enough time, and few enough distractions, to just dream, brainstorm, and make decisions. This is where the re-birth comes in. During this time (hours, to be exact), we discerned where we are, where we want to be, and how we are going to get there. Both personally, and as a couple. It's been a long time since we've had time for that. Too long. I knew this trip was very much needed, but I had no idea what that really meant.
Now we're home. We've got goals and plans. Our setbacks are behind us, and our future is in front of us. We both made decisions to go back to school; now we're just waiting to hear back on how to make that happen. We made plans for the future, and set a clear path for making them happen. We were re-born. Both as individuals, and as a couple, we are refreshed and renewed, and ready to take on the world!
So, as this Easter day comes to a close, I challenge you to think about the things in you that you'd like to renew, and the things you'd like to change. Where are you now, and where would you like to go? A New Year can start any time. It doesn't have to be a fancy celebration, just a revelation in your heart, mind, and spirit. Take the things that are dragging you down, and throw them away. Then find the things that build you up, and find more of it. Take some time to re-discover who you are, and celebrate an "Easter" within yourself.
