| Easter is such a special time of year. I can | | | | through the basket and find one of the last |
| recall fond memories of Easters past when my | | | | few treats which had fallen to the bottom. |
| mother and father would hide brightly colored | | | | Today, I get just as much enjoyment from |
| eggs in the yard and send my sisters and I | | | | watching my children having the same fun I |
| out to find them. What joy we had running | | | | had as a child. It's wonderful to view the |
| around the yard, looking in every nook and | | | | next generation enjoying the traditions of |
| cranny for the eggs we had hand decorated | | | | the past that still remain so much part of |
| together as a family. As I recall, whoever | | | | our culture. Today, however, I give Easter |
| found the most always received a special | | | | gift baskets to my children, my siblings, and |
| gift, usually a dollar or two. That was a lot | | | | close friends every year at this time. |
| of money to us kids in those days. After the | | | | They're wonderful for the kids and the adults |
| hunt, we would eat dinner together and then | | | | all appreciate them as well since, like me, |
| my parents would give each of us an Easter | | | | they remember the joy of getting an Easter |
| basket. They were smart to make sure we had | | | | basket. Easter gift baskets are filled with |
| dinner first, knowing full well that we would | | | | delectable treats that both children and |
| never touch our food if we were given the | | | | adults can enjoy. I order enough for my |
| baskets beforehand. I can still recall the | | | | friends and family and my extended family as |
| happiness we shared, eating our chocolates, | | | | well since Easter gift baskets can be shipped |
| jelly beans, marshmallow candies and other | | | | anywhere. I find that they make a great gift |
| sweet treats. I think I always enjoyed | | | | for kids or for the kid in all of us. This |
| digging through the plastic green "grass" the | | | | year, I may even order one for myself. I may |
| most. It was like discovering gold to dig | | | | be older, but I still have a sweet tooth! |