Highs and Lows

"You have to have darkness to know the light." Isn't that what they say? Or "you can't appreciate the good days without some bad ones." All the sayings are true. And I have loved sharing all my beautiful, magical days with you guys. I'm going to share a bit of a low one with you; it's good to keep things in perspective, and while my current life is more often sunshine and rainbows, it isn't always. 

Today is Easter, and a great day to reflect on the Lord and all He has done for us. I see all the "He is risen!" posts from people who I know to be true to the Lord as well as from those who just yesterday posted an Instagram photo with a margarita in hand saying "LET'S GET DRUUUUUNK". Nothing out of the usual. 

But for me, this Easter is a little different. I am alone. 

My family is back in Oklahoma, and I am here in Florida. 

Growing up, Easter was very much centered around Jesus, but Mom still managed to create a beautiful mixture of Jesus and the Easter Bunny. I would wake up and find a little trail of Easter eggs that led to enormous Easter baskets with stuffed animals, candy, and other goodies. Easter egg hunts would follow with my cousins at our grandparents' house. I remember just being so happy on Easter, surrounded by people I really loved. 

But now I am a grown up, currently living over a thousand miles away from my family. And it's hard. Oh my gosh, it's so hard. This is the first holiday I haven't gotten to spend with my parents (not counting Valentine's Day because it is a completely pointless "holiday" that was founded on the death of saint and martyr Valentine). 

I am trying to keep my focus on the true reason of this holiday-- the fact that Jesus rose again three days after suffering the most brutal death ever to happen. But I just want to be home with my mom and dad and two dogs. It is an empty wish, as it can't come true. Nor can they just simply come here. I have come to grips with that. but it doesn't really make it any easier. 

So Happy Easter, everyone. Cherish the time you get with your loved ones. And high school kids, don't be in such a rush to grow up and leave home. You will soon enough be sitting on your living room couch wishing you could go back home and be surrounded by your family.