Easter Bunnies Again Already?

I used to do a super-duper job of celebrating all the holidays.
Have you ever noticed how quickly they come around? Every month has special day that requires mothers to cook, clean, and entertain house guests.
For freedom from impending holiday work, I now turn to my favorite trivia book.
Did you know that Easter ‘is also the name of an ancient Saxon festival and of the pagan goddess of spring and off-spring, Eastre,’ according to Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things.
Panati is full of interesting info that makes me feel free to ignore as many traditions as possible.
-The Easter Bunny also comes to us from Anglo-Saxon roots because Eastre’s earthly symbol was the hare.
-Eggs had been used by the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans before the time of Jesus as a symbol of fertility. German immigrants brought them, to America as part of the celebration
-It was the Council of Nicaea, in A.D. 325, who established that Easter would be celebrated on Sunday instead of Friday or Saturday as it had been on occasion before then.
-Observance of Easter was not widespread in the U.S. until after the Civil War when the Presbyterians resurrected it (sorry about the bad pun) as a “source of inspiration and hope for millions of bereaved Americans.”
We have a tradition at our house that you might consider folding into your festivities.
An arch-nemesis to the Easter Bunny, the Egg Snatcher steals our breakfast at almost any excuse throughout the year. He leaves clues in Easter eggs all over the neighborhood. Easter eggs make terrific clue containers any time.
Fortunately, after a brisk walk, we always find breakfast in some place that is perfect for a picnic, usually the tree fort.
Yes, it is original, maybe downright strange.
Still, no stranger than Easter Bunnies.
I can’t help but think that the early Christians would be surprised to discover the way we celebrate the Resurrection.
For example, my Dad survived open-heart surgery 13 years ago and we’ve been celebrating ever since, but not just once a year on the anniversary.
Surviving surgery is one thing.
Dieing for folks sins and rising back up to talk about it is another.
Seems like the Resurrection is worth more attention than one day a year. Just a thought.
Anyway, in spite of the fact that they only became popular in the late 1880s, I feel free to buy lots of chocolate bunnies. And you better believe I will eat my share.
Happy Easter to all. And Happy Resurrection, too, all year long.

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, celebrates holidays at home with her family in beautiful East Texas. Comments are welcome at CaeKrafve2@aol.com.