Easter is a time of renewal and transformation, a celebration of new beginnings and the possibility of resurrection. Whether you observe this holiday in a religious context or simply appreciate it as a symbol of hope and renewal, there is much to be joyful about on this day. In a world that can often feel dark and challenging, Easter reminds us that even in the midst of struggle and adversity, there is always the possibility of rebirth and regeneration. This is evident for our southern friends as flowers begin to bloom and the trees burst into leaf, reminding us that life is a cyclical process, and that even in the darkest of winters, there is always the promise of spring.
But here in Singing Bridge, it takes a bit more determination and focus. In fact we have learned to take regeneration seriously, unlike you southern softies who just skip around with Easter Baskets under cherry blossoms and magnolias. You may think you know what regeneration is, but we beg to differ. We know regeneration and resurrection are not just handouts; so we train our next generation to be regeneration champions!
Take our Easter egg hunts for example. We don't just hide eggs in elegant, manicured lawns or offer a spoon and smooth grassy surface to roll an egg. No! We make our children work for their sugar. We have extreme egg hunts where hide eggs in mud, ice, snow, woods, and even on ski slopes. It's like an Olympic event, only with more chocolate.
And for anyone thinking the buds are about to emerge from the ground we throw you a snow storm and fill your lungs with the unmistakable mixture of sour, musky, earthy, musty scents, with hints of ammonia and sulfur — you guessed it: a fresh spread of cow manure. And if that is not enough we chase it with a side of wood smoke. Yup, we can pretty much dash the hopes and dreams of a hyacinth scented spring morning for the Easter service here in Singing Bridge.
And if you ever have the pleasure of attending a Sunday service in Singing Bridge you will understand why everyone is so punctual around here. There is no lolly-gagging and hoping to grab a back row and miss the finger wagging at the Easter Christians. No here in SB you must enter through the front of the church — Nothing draws attention and screams shame like walking into church with all eyes on you! (Perhaps for some who like attention from the crowds it is like the Oscars but with less Gucci and more Gunne Sax.)
And oh the Easter brunch! While most people enjoy the perfectly prepared hot cross buns and a neat and buttoned-up brunch in their Sunday best, we get sticky instead! Easter is a time when our maple sugar shacks provide their best Sunday pancake feast with fresh maple syrup steaming off any layers of make-up left on from your last City slicking adventure.
Easter used to be about homemade kites and flying them in the fields, but now we've moved on to pasture golf. Yes, you heard that right - golf amidst the pasture patties. Who needs sand traps when you have snow and mud.
And please don’t forget we all have to start over at some point. For me, it's been a lifelong process of learning to let go of old patterns and habits and embrace new ones. And the Easter story and season is really the ultimate story of renewal and rebirth, of letting go of what's dead and embracing new life. In a way it is like the ultimate compost story.*
So as we celebrate the Easter season, let us take a moment to reflect on the things that we are grateful for, and to embrace the possibility of new beginnings. Let us keep scanning the snow and mud for hints of yellow or purple as we note some croci making their way through winter’s detritus. Let us seek out the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and be inspired by the resilience and persistence of the human spirit.
May this Easter be a time of joy and renewal for you and your loved ones, and may you find peace and hope in the midst of whatever challenges life may bring. Happy Easter, or Happy Regeneration Season, from us here in Singing Bridge!
*The Easter story is often associated with themes of death and rebirth, and this can be seen as a metaphorical compost story. Just as composting involves the breakdown of organic matter into nutrient-rich soil, the Easter story involves the death and resurrection of Jesus, which symbolizes the transformative power of renewal and regeneration. The old self dies and is transformed into a new self, much like how organic matter decomposes and transforms into a fertile soil. In this sense, the Easter story can be seen as the ultimate compost story, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and the power of regeneration.
I just had the privilege of attending the OMH Easter service via zoom from 286 miles away. Singing Bridge was very much alive with the sound of music, the waving of the alleluia ribbons. and the commitment to the resurrection, and the regeneration of life, eternal.
I love your blog today, and as a reformed, former golfer, the idea of mud traps, in lieu of sand traps is particularly delicious.
Please do use this season of regeneration to cast off those nasty old bad habits, and embrace the beautiful potential world that you and your spirit carrier can create. We all love you dear Celina, and eagerly await your new beginnings!
With love, RB.
Happy Easter! Yes the practice of resurrection is alive and well this year! Missing the extreme egg hunts…. And remember also how in the early days with the barn animals it wasn’t just mud we were contenting with 😂 oh yes… compost in all of her forms!