Growing up...I had platinum blonde curly hair, blue eyes and very fair skin. Yet my siblings were raven haired, with an olive complextion. I grew up in a Greek and Italian home. I stood out like a sore thumb... But I enjoyed the culture I was raised in. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" hits it right on the nose. It is just like that...and oh so much fun. Of course, being the "different" one my experience was a little off the norm. They are big on "blood" relations, and I wasn't. (neither was my sister but she seemed to blend a bit better than me) At any rate, my adopted parents weren't into religion at all. But when it came to Easter? We celebrated. Not because of what it stood for, but because of the events (and Ouzo). Greek Orthodox (Catholicism) Easter, doesn't fall on the traditional day, such as tomorrow. This year, I believe it is on May 1st. And what the hoopla they will put on.
I remember traveling, to some sort of Fair Ground in California to partake. A huge place filled with the cultures music, food and people. I remember being awestruck at how friendly and how these people could be so welcoming simply because you were of the same persuasion. Such a connection. I, also, remember wondering what it must feel like. To have that. Since, I knew I wasn't truly one of them. Anyway, there were some good times...
Tomorrow, I will be celebrating a more traditional, or, rather, a more Christian way of Easter, (One that I have come to believe.) Morning service, watching the kids play and hunt eggs, and dinnner with the fam. Good times too...and now I know what it feels like to belong.
Regardless of how you celebrate and even why you do, the meaning of this time is the same.
New beginnings...
"Kalo Pashcha!"
(A Beautiful Easter to you!)
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