Easter in our family has been a fun time for the grandchildren including chocolate candies, colored eggs, the Easter bunny, and new clothes. This year there will be no new Sunday dresses at church since all of our meetinghouses are closed. Those who shop for Easter goodies this year will do it at their own peril. No large Easter egg hunts, sharing of Easter candy with cousins, or big dinners.
Parents this year will have to come up with a new way to celebrate Easter. Here are some ideas you might use to keep some of your Easter traditions while social distancing. Some of these are perfect for your living room or yard. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/virtual-easter-egg-hunts-let-144800827.html
If you donāt have any plastic eggs from years past, you can make eggs out of paper and write Easter messages on them. You can make large Easter eggs out of construction paper and hang them on your windows for others to see when they pass by.
Easter Egg hunt in Centerville
This year may be the first time for many of the kids to join the world-wide fast for our world because of COVID 19. It has been a somber time for all of us and our attention has been redirected to the most important part of Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we just need a reset button to remind us of our priorities.
It is a time of reflection and unity in spirit we have not seen. Although we cannot be together physically this Easter, we can cherish one another and share our experiences through technology. The recent and ongoing crises should be a reminder not to get too caught up in less important agendas.
Christus Replica
Iknow I will never take for granted a touch, hug, or kiss from one of my grandchildren again. Isolation makes me sad. I am more grateful for family.
Perhaps the feeling of being exiled from all that is dear to us will help us to understand more of the experience Jesus had when his own people betrayed him. His last few days were infinitely more difficult than what we are experiencing now. I hope we will come out of this quarantine with renewed determination to be more Christlike.
Happy Easter! We just finished our Tonga Nukuāalofa Mission history 1989-1992 and uploaded it for you to read. There are several Tender Mercy stories that were submitted by missionaries who served with us. Please share with others that may be interested.
Iadmit it ā I am an introvert. So this social isolation thing actually feels quite comfortable to me. I suffer from social anxiety and avoid big crowds because the noise is deafening. When I was a young girl, I preferred to play alone in my bedroom with my paper dolls and write stories rather than being abused by family members and so-called friends. Mind you, I donāt like having to stay in the house all of the time, especially being isolated with an extrovert!
My husband is having a difficult time. He has to call several people every day between his jogs around the house to stay sane. Some of my grandchildren are having a really tough go of it also. They are used to having their friends around them at school constantly. Yesterday one of my granddaughters went to a ātake outā with some friends (each in their separate cars). Then they met up in a parking lot, parked their cars in a circle, and sat on their cars while they visited from a distance. Quite creative, Iād say.
I appreciate those who have taken this pandemic seriously and are staying away from others as much as possible. I was not surprised when I heard on the news that here in Utah about half of the persons who have contracted the coronavirus were younger (between 20 and 40). They seem to think they are invincible. Younger people are vulnerable too. It is so sad to hear of even small babies that have been stricken with corona.
Since we lived in Hawaii for over 20 years, I got used to being hugged by everyone I met. That was difficult for me since I value my personal space. Right now I donāt have to worry about that contact
and it is somewhat of a relief for me. However, two of my grandchildren are graduating this year and I feel bad that they wonāt have all of the leis and festivities that go with Polynesian graduations.
Some younger people think this is the right time to become popular on social media:
Honestly, how idiotic can you be. I also had a friend who thought it was cool to
announce on facebook that she took her grandchildren to Costco to get a few things. What? Does she not realize how ignorant that sounded? Please leave the grandkids at home! She got reprimanded in the comments.
I like how many of the regular TV celebrities have taken corona seriously and now broadcast from inside of their homes. It is fun to see another side of them and I have a healthier respect for them. Hopefully, if everyone does their part, this virus will die off soon. Warmer weather will make it more difficult for it to thrive and spread. I am excited to get out and work in my yard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKDd38-EVCs
As for my own family relations, my father who is 93 hasnāt changed his schedule much from what it was before corona. He spends much of his time reading and watching TV. The only way he could get the virus is if someone brings in into his home. I am trying to keep away. Thankfully, my brother and sister live closer and take good care of him. My other sister is on oxygen and I pray she will be alright.
The thing I miss the most during this time is shopping. Every Tuesday before this happened, I would shop at the local thrift shops because it was discount day for seniors. Now they are all closed. I realize that I went a bit overboard with my thrifting because my closets are stuffed and I have nowhere to go! Now the popular thing to wear when we go out is a mask!
I have set up a little gym in my bedroom.
It includes a stationary bike, thigh master, weights and bands. I hope this will result in me being stronger and more fit. I also take vitamins every day and go to bed at a reasonable hour. When I wake up, I do specific stretches before I even get out of bed. It helps with my joint pain.
Yesterday I ordered groceries for the first time. They couldnāt deliver them until today. Of course I had to pay extra
for the service, but feel for now it is worth it.
Iām grateful that my children are isolating and are still able to work to provide for their families. Our patience is being tested bigtime right now. Can you imagine how much harder this would be without technology? It certainly is a blessing to be able to talk and see loved ones at this time. One thing to remember with all of this time spent online, there is a greater danger of hacking and predators. Please be safe online!
Tomorrow I will be listening to leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our prophet forsaw this time and has been preparing our members for it for a while now. I value my membership in the church and it brings a lot of comfort to my llife. It has been very inspiring to see many turn to God and praying more often during this pandemic. If you want to hear some inspired messages for this time, join us at:
My pansies were brave enough to bloom despite the pandemic encompassing the globe. So were my daffodils. Even my lilac bush is budding. April is here. People have created new ways to communicate and celebrate one another. Humanity finds a way.
Some friends and family have been taken from us and they are forever in our hearts and minds. And, there are heros. Many of them. They sacrifice their lives to help others. We look to our leaders to give us hope and direction. And, more people are praying now!
I cried today, not unlike other days, but as I set out the Easter decorations, I thought of my grandchildren. I wished they were here to enjoy them. At least I can send them pictures.
Parents have a new appreciation for teachers. Financial stress weighs on many. Calamity can either make or break relationships. Coronavirus memes are rampant. Idiots lick toilets and wish the old people would die. Our true selves are exposed.
I love Tom Hanks! Glad you are feeling better!
Media is taking advantage of the crisis. It blares all day long with monkeys coming out for a bit of notoriety. Fools still go out shopping when they donāt really need to. I have learned not to watch the news all day long.
I saw all of my grandkids this week, even though we were not in the same room. What a blessing that is! I sent out a questionnaire to them and learned a few new things about them.
