THAT Easter

“Declan?” I called up the stairs.

“NO!” He cried and moaned, “Nobody cares!”

I stifled a small laugh and smiled.

“Awww, yes we do, buddy!  I promise.  Listen, do you want your ramen now?”

“Noooo.  I don’t want to eat.  I’m sad.  EASTER’S RUINED!”

I retreated to the kitchen to start everyone else’s lunch and sent Bob upstairs on “repair broken child” mode.

About forty minutes earlier I was stopped by Declan who was wearing a very concerned look on his face.  His eyes were on the ceiling as he spoke.  I could tell he was in deep thought.

“Do you buy the Easter presents or does the bunny bring them?”

I knew right away what happened.

“Declan, did you go on my Amazon to see what I have bought?”

Declan’s ceiling eyes scrunched, and he let out a big sigh.

“Yes.”

“You know you are not supposed to do that.”

More scrunched up ceiling eyes.

“Mommy and Daddy got you some presents for Easter and now you know what they are.”

“But Amazon said the presents aren’t going to be here in time!  My basket is supposed to go right here.  And my presents are supposed to be wrapped and be in there.  But they won’t be in there because they won’t be here on time!”

He was right.  I had seen the same thing.  As important as Easter is to us, somehow it seemed farther away than it was.  Anytime I had even been out shopping, it was for necessities.  When it finally dawned on me that Easter was literally, right around the corner on the calendar – it was too late for all the packages to arrive on time.

As a Christian, Easter is THE holiday.  Bob and I have always treated it as such.  Coming down the stairs on Easter morning is the equivalent of coming down the stairs on ones birthday or Christmas.  There are treats, surprises and presents.

Try as I might to make Declan understand that Amazon, the Easter bunny and Mom and Dad were trying their best to make sure Declan has a happy Easter morning, we are failing to calm him.  Declan is obsessing. 

Bobby and Catelyn understand the meaning of the holiday.  Catelyn was even supposed to play the role of Judas in the church play this year (of course she chose Judas, right?).  Declan is not quite there yet in full understanding.  He’s still excited about all the “fun stuff.”

Thankfully a couple of packages were able to arrive already.  I was so relieved.

So was Declan.

So upset at the idea that his presents are not going to arrive on time I hear the front door open fifty times a day.  Declan peering out, looking to see if a new box has arrived.

When one does arrive, he has to open it.  Looking at his eyes and hearing the pleading in his voice, I know life will not continue unless he KNOWS.

Seeing one of his presents calms him.  He doesn’t want to play with it, he just wants to know it is HERE.

Not everything is going to make it on time.  Easter morning is going to be a little different – we are going to have to make some concessions.

We are going to do our best to make Declan’s Easter morning the very best.  Or at least, try to make it just like the Easter he has in his mind.

I’m sure Declan will be happy with the presents he is getting on Sunday.  I am also sure, since he reviewed my Amazon, that he will point out the items that aren’t here yet but will be excited when they do arrive. 

And for years to come, I am sure we will always hear about “THAT Easter.”  The one that was different 😊