Peachy Celebrates Easter: Part Two
The promise of the chocolate that the Easter Bunny brings has been the part of Easter that I was most excited about. Chocolate is a rare treat for me. Mommy insists that I’m too little for chocolate, but sometimes when I put on my sad face, Mommy can’t resist and lets me have a little piece.
I have been looking forward to meeting the Easter Bunny, but he has proven to be an elusive creature. As I understand it, he should be hiding chocolate eggs around our house. He is very good at hiding his chocolate treasure, but I know there’s bound to be chocolate eggs around here somewhere.
I spent the majority of the morning looking all over the house. All this searching for eggs has got me thinking about this Easter Bunny. Who is he? Where does he come from? Most importantly, where is he getting all those chocolate eggs?
Mommy told me that the Easter Bunny has been hopping around for a very long time! The tradition started in Germany, where children believed in an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or Easter Hare. The bunny would hide colorful eggs for kids to find during springtime celebrations.
The story of the Easter Hare bringing treats to children was first mentioned in 1682. I wonder where he was before then. The Easter Hare brings candy and small toys to those kids that he deems to have been good.
I have been very good. Mommy tells me that I’m a good girl every day. Where is my chocolate? Did the Easter Bunny forget about me? Why would he bring eggs anyway? Why not chocolate bunnies?
Mommy tells me that eggs are a symbol of birth and fertility and have been associated with spring for a long time. It makes sense because in the spring we have flowers and baby animals. I guess eggs do make sense for Easter.
Some groups of people do not consume meat or eggs during Lent. It was once customary to boil the eggs to extend their shelf life. These boiled eggs were sometimes decorated and then eaten as part of the feast. I guess the Easter Bunny doesn’t want to deviate from tradition.
At my house we decorate our eggs and put them in a basket along with a piece of bread, some meat, salt, and pepper. We bring our basket to church on Sunday morning for a priest to bless. Then we come home and have breakfast. Each person is expected to eat at least one thing from the basket.
This tradition comes from Mommy’s side of the family, and it is how she celebrated Easter ever since she was little. Now that I’m here, Mommy says that we’re going to start some new traditions of our own. Mommy has been telling me about some of the fun things planned for the coming years.
Mommy’s best idea is the egg hunt. She told me that when I’m big enough, the Easter Bunny will hide goodies for me, and I will have to find them. No wonder I haven’t been able to find any chocolate this morning. I’m just not big enough yet!
Mommy said that I will probably be big enough to start a proper egg hunt next year. I can’t wait! I’m going to spend the whole year practicing my searching skills. Next Easter I’m going to find so much chocolate!
I may be too little for an egg hunt, but the Easter Bunny didn’t forget about me. After dinner, Mommy said she had a little present for me that the Easter Bunny left with her for safekeeping. Guess what it was. Chocolate! The perfect after-dinner treat. I love Easter!
As the day winds down, I can’t help but think about all the sweet memories we’ve made this Easter. It may not have included a big egg hunt or meeting the Easter Bunny face-to-face, but Mommy made sure it was extra special for me in her own way. From decorating eggs to enjoying a chocolate surprise, this Easter was filled with magic and love. Next year, I’ll be big enough to experience even more traditions—and who knows, maybe I’ll finally find those hidden chocolate eggs! Until then, I’ll treasure the moments I’ve shared with Mommy and dream about the adventures next spring will bring.