Easter still seems to be in the air

“Blue skies with white clouds on summer days. A myriad of stars on

clear moonlit nights. Tulips and roses and violets and dandelions and

daisies. Bluebirds and laughter and sunshine and Easter. See how he

loves us.”

-- ALICE CHAPIN

Easter was two weeks ago, but its holiday message lingers on like

a sweet perfume.

Easter lilies are still in bloom, and I wish they’d stay that way

all year long. Easter candy is on sale in the markets and offered for

consumption at friends’ homes. I still see Easter banners flying

happily in the breeze, Easter items in the windows and assorted

Easter baskets in the stores.

That’s fine with me because I love Easter, all that it is and all

that it means. I haven’t yet put away the Easter decorations in our

home, and I’m in no big rush to do so.

I walk past or through a park several days a week. It’s up a hill

from our neighborhood, and it always makes me smile. It’s wonderfully

green and has a great swing set and other play equipment.

Occasionally, children swing with such enthusiasm that I’m afraid

they’ll be catapulted into the sand.

Sometimes, little people play there cheerfully with their parents

while dogs romp and run on the grass after balls their owners have

thrown. Many times, I pass two women or two men chatting on one of

the park benches.

Frequently, the sidewalks have chalk figures, cartoons and even

hopscotch diagrams that I’ve jumped through. About a month ago, chalk

drawings started appearing that related to Easter.

There were several rabbits with happy faces, and little yellow

bunnies, too. One sign that was chalked in read, “Hippity, hoppity,

Easter’s on its way.” There were also several little golden chicks

decorated with smiles, blue eyes and little hearts inside. Some had

the captions, “Cheep, cheep,” and others just smiled.

There were more cute pictures and happy faces, I’m sure drawn by

happy little girls and boys. Written in extra large bright blue

letters was the message “Happy Easter!” The drawings were nearly as

colorful as all the flowers in bloom.

I walked through the park this morning before writing this column.

Nobody was there when I went, but a patch of sunny daisies danced in

the wind and greeted me. Looking up, I saw skies that were wildly

blue with bright white clouds racing through them. Then I looked down

for the colorful chalk pictures.

Despite rain and many days of sprinklers, I can still make out

some of the drawings. They are gradually fading or being washed away,

and I’m sure they’ll be replaced with something else before long.

Some less happy drawings and negative phrases have appeared, but

they’ll disappear in time, too.

Easter still seems to be in the air around here, and it sounds

like the birds are happily singing just as they did then, and we’ve

already hopped into the month of May. Easter is more than a single

day and more than just a holiday.

We may have celebrated Easter two weeks ago, but the message and

the meaning of that day carry a significance that is everlasting.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.