Christos Anesti (Christ Has Risen)

Every few years Greek Easter falls on the same day as "American" Easter. This is one of those years.

Jeff related an interesting story on the way to church about our red-dyed eggs. No pastel colors for Greeks - Easter eggs are always dyed red, the darker the better, to signify the blood of Christ. But here's another story.

After the Ascension of Jesus, Mary Magdalene greeted the Emperor of Rome by saying "Christ Has Risen". He pointed to an egg and stated, "Christ has no more risen than that egg is red".  As soon as he said that, the egg turned blood red to represent Christ's passion and death.  Alithos Anesti (Truly He Has Risen)

Another Day in Heaven

I'm not very good about remembering ages, especially the ages of people I'm not even acquainted with.

But I do know that William, Prince of Wales will be two months shy of his 29th birthday when he marries Kate Middleton on April 29. I remember that he was born in June, 1982.

I know this - not because I am a fan of the royals - but because I was pregnant at the same time as his mother Princess Diana and, like her, counting the days until a June birth. Cyciley was born 29 years ago today and went to heaven four days later.


Both births were blessed.
William will inherit an earthly kingdom.
Cyciley inherited a heavenly kingdom.

April Fools for Coming Home Early?

This is how it is in Chicagoland this time of the year - the calendar shouts spring but old man winter won't let go of his icy grip. The trees out back stand stark, still sleeping against the gray sky. I've searched in vain for the first sign of leaves, but the branches remain smooth waiting for more sunny days ahead.









The trees still slumber this first day of April, but the earth stirs with new life. Bulbs pop up out of the crusty ground with the first splash of color so vibrant you wonder how the rest of the landscape can look so dull. The baby daffodil - the first to bloom - is by Smokey's spot in the garden - a reminder during this Lenten season of rebirth, the awakening of new life.