As a child, Easter was always a special holiday for us. Coming from a large family and being a religious bunch, the weekend was marked by faith, family and fun. These days, it’s a little different as an adult, but I still cherish the memories.
We would always travel to visit my mother’s side of the family in southeastern South Dakota. My grandparents lived in the little town of Lake Andes, close to the Missouri River (think near Yankton for a sort-of reference point). We were always amazed how warm it could be there around Easter time. At home, we were living at the North Pole, but at grandma’s, it seemed almost tropical!
One special Easter activity we always partook in was walking “The Way of the Cross” around Lake Andes. This commemorates Christ’s journey to crucifixion. This is a common Easter-time activity, but in my grandparents’ town, we would actually walk outside, around town stopping at different churches, taking turns carrying the cross while singing and reading prayers. All the churches from town participated. The activity may have looked strange to the general passer-by, but it was a very meaningful time that my siblings and I still reflect on today.
On Easter, after attending church, the hunt for our Easter baskets was on! They were not overly extravagant or filled with gifts, but they had a variety of candy, including my favorite, Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. My mother would hide our baskets around grandma’s house. It was fun to search every nook and cranny. I must add, that mom kept up hiding baskets for us well into our adult years. I was married and in my 30’s a few years ago and STILL pulling an Easter basket out of the ceiling tiles in my grandparents’ basement.
Easter day, we spent with my mom’s extended family at a remote church hall in the country. When I was younger, there was only an outhouse at the hall, which we thought was pretty neat. We would spend the day eating great food, including traditional Czech fare. My grandma would orchestrate games for the kids, like bingo, and a hunt where the older kids hid paper Easter bunnies around the yard that you could cash in for little prizes. They were truly some simple, fun times.
This year, I’m venturing back to the far reaches of South Dakota with just my son for Easter. I’m a little daunted by the long drive alone with a toddler, but I’m excited to share those special memories with him. It’s not quite the same anymore of course. My grandma is long passed, and we don’t go to the church hall anymore. But we will no doubt have fun whatever we do. And I’m sure I can still convince my mom to hide my Easter basket!
