No more surprises
Easter is the next “first” that we’ll be going through since my mother died last year.
I know Easter is a big event in some families, and, while we’ve always enjoyed it, and, done a few traditional things, it has never been an “all-out” event for us.
We usually go to Mass, and, then to my parents house for a small Easter egg hunt, and, then we hit the road for the 2 hour trip to my mother-in-law’s house for a traditional Easter dinner.
Though we didn’t usually spend a great deal of the day there, my mother planned carefully to get something nice for breakfast, and, she always filled Easter eggs for the hunt, and, got each child an Easter basket with a few goodies. Even when she was sick, she made sure the sitter was able to help with these tasks.
Now, it’s up to me, I guess.
It’s not that I mind doing it, my dad will still have us over, and, he’ll hide the eggs I fix, and, I’ll get baskets for the kids that will be from him. The hard part for me is that I realize, like the other holidays and birthdays, there are no more surprises for me.
I am now the official “getter of stuff”. I had been doing it for Christmas for a few years after my mother got sick, but, Easter was the thing she could still do, and, the last thing that held a small surprise for me, too.
No, I didn’t get an Easter basket, too, I just really liked seeing the little things the kids got. Now, I already know since I’m the one who bought them.
My dad’s not unwilling, it’s just not something that comes naturally to him, and, that’s OK. I’ll get over it, and, we’ll still have fun, just another rite of passage for me.
Tags: Holidays, sandwich-generationRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Holidays
6 opinions for No more surprises
JayMonster
Apr 4, 2007 at 11:00 am
Not to be sarcastic or anything, could you not enlist hubby for some of this? Whether it be for Xmas, Easter, whatever, while we always agree on the big stuff, TheWife and I always add our own “little touch” to things that wind up being something of a surprise to us.
Just a thought.
Nashville is Talking » Surprises Past
Apr 4, 2007 at 11:11 am
[…] Elizabeth shares the little things that change once a parent passes: Though we didn’t usually spend a great deal of the day there, my mother planned carefully to get something nice for breakfast, and, she always filled Easter eggs for the hunt, and, got each child an Easter basket with a few goodies. Even when she was sick, she made sure the sitter was able to help with these tasks. […]
Lisa Dunn
Apr 4, 2007 at 4:15 pm
It’s the passing of the traditions from one generation to the next. Whether it’s old family recipes, or holiday traditions. You’re giving your kids (and dad) the memories your mom gave you. Sweet.
Kym
Apr 5, 2007 at 7:18 pm
You really nailed it on the head with this one. I have always been the getter of things, except with my Mom. She knew exactly what I wanted or needed without being told. There are no more surprises for me either. I am also facing this double edge sword with the boyfriends parent situation. Only child and two needy parents that are now expecting ME yes you read that right, to do their everythings…
I feel for you, really I do. I feel like there is no more world for me.
GenBetween » Canon in D, and, other Easter stuff
Apr 7, 2007 at 9:25 pm
[…] I went over to my dad’s house to fix the Easter eggs, since the Easter Bunny has always come to my parent’s house. […]
Anthony
Apr 21, 2008 at 3:24 am
Anthony…
Had you heard that the AARP is into Social Networking now. Seems myspace and facebook were targeted for twenty somethings, so now us seniors can get out there and chat with the best of them….
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