While I was recovering and before I could have the second surgery to reattach my colon, we would be celebrating Easter. Anyone who knows my family knows holiday celebrations are a big deal and they usually revolve around food! I know – shocking when you think of an Italian-Greek family right?
Well I wasn’t up to full speed in energy or strength yet, and I was way behind in any of my usual preparations for the big Easter meal we have. Easter is my favorite holiday and we always have a homemade Easter bread (my paternal grandmother’s recipe) for breakfast; leg of lamb, lasagna, pastichio (the Greek version of lasagna); Greek cookies called koulourakia that I always made with my children, a Sicilian cassata and of course colored eggs for a Greek tradition the kids always enjoy with my dad. Well, obviously none of that was done and I wasn’t in a condition to do it all.
I felt badly about it and it just seemed like it wouldn’t really feel like Easter without all the trimmings everyone was used to. My kids said they would do the work and I could direct them. I realized upon thinking about it and praying about it that I was putting too much emphasis on those externals. If none of the traditional dishes got made would it still be Easter? Yes! As long as the whole family could be together, did it really matter to any of us whether we had leg of lamb or hamburgers? No!
So we ordered one delicious penne ala vodka from a local deli; with my children’s help I was able to make the pastichio (my dad’s absolute favorite) and the leg of lamb. We didn’t have the cookies or the cassata for dessert, but my husband colored the eggs, my daughter baked cookies and we were all together and so grateful for just that!
The important thing about Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead. Whether we had our usual treats had no bearing on that – it is a done deal – praise God! And even though I wasn’t 100%, I was still here and healing and able to be with my family and that was the important thing.
So we had a different Easter but a wonderful one and I learned an important lesson about relinquishing control and what is really important.
Have you ever had to let go of your plans and trust that it would all still end up well?
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May I just add a hearty Amen to this wonderful article .
You may and I thank you so much for doing so!
Great article Ann! I’ve seen this scenario play out time and time again in my own life.
Thank you Cindy. I see for myself I get so attached to certain ways of doing things that it’s difficult to be open to a new way. This experience certainly changed that!
Ann, another wonderful article and lesson. When we are injured or ill there are so many daily choices we have to make that we take for granted when we are healthy. Your article reminded me that it is a blessing to feel good enough to do the work a festive occasion requires.
Thank you Debbie – it reminded me of the very same thing.
Ann,
Yes we can get hung up on OUR plan or routine and miss the important part – WHO. I’ve had to go with the flow a lot more lately and the world didn’t end. It’s good to not be able to do what we have always done. We might get to experience something better.
Have a Victorious Day! Marianne
Sent via phone so please excuse typos and brevity.
That’s a great point Marianne and attitude!