Easter: It was the Best of Times; It was the Worst of Times.

Without a doubt, Easter is one holiday for which I have very mixed feelings (Hey Mom….check it out. I didn’t end the sentence with a preposition. See…all that overpriced Catholic education did pay off). Unlike Christmas – which I love more that life itself – I really don’t look forward to Easter much. I don’t dread it, but I don’t get excited about it either. I’ve often wondered why, and I think that after almost 40 years on this earth and therefore, almost 40 Easters, I have figured it out.

 The Best of Easter

Numero uno: Easter Baskets!! Oh what a delight these are! Whoever invented them (I suspect it was a woman), has a special place in my heart and I’m sure in Heaven as well. I loved getting them as a kid, and I love making them for my kid relatives. What’s not to like about them? They are one of the happiest things on Earth. Although I do admit feeling a tinge of guilt one Easter when I was about 11 years old for chowing down a chocolate cross filled with gooey marshmallow. Oh man! I’m craving some chocolaty Easter goodness as I write this. “Thanks Easter Bunny, bawk, bawk!”

Then there’s that “V” word. VACATION! Also known as Spring Break, this is a magical time for school aged kids and young adults. And going to Catholic school, we got an extra 1.5 days for vacation. We got a half day (what’s the point of those, btw?) on Holy Thursday and we got Good Friday off. And….drum roll, please…we got the entire WEEK off after Easter. I remember feeling so sorry for the public school kids that only got the week before Easter off. It was fun to hang out with my public school friends on Good Friday and celebrate the beginning of my vaca while they were bummed about going back to school in three days.

Oh, and here’s my theory on why it’s called “Good Friday:” It’s a really “Good” thing we get the day off because I need a break.

Okay, not that funny but I like it anyway, and my little nephews thought it was hilarious…or they were amusing their poor aunt.

This one may shock you but I’m going to throw it out there: Easter Sunday Mass. I know, I know…but let me explain. What a perfect excuse to get a brand new dress, shoes, accessories and a fabulous Easter hat! I loved going t Mass on Easter just to see what everyone was wearing and to show off my new outfit. Oh what fun…for about the 1st hour or so…

Not to worry, everyone. I’ll come back to Mass in the “Worst” section below.

Final, random great things about Easter (in no particular order): Blooming flowers, pretty colors, yummy food, great weather (usually – I live in California) and the end of Lent.

Speaking of Lent, beyond Easter, I’m going to continue giving up what I gave up for Lent: Trying to be a size 5.

The Worst of Easter

Spring allergies. I just had my first allergy test in over 20 years and I am allergic to everything (I mean EVERYTHING) that blooms in the spring in my neck of the woods. Like clockwork, my allergies start up in mid March, peak on Mother’s Day weekend and go away by the 4th of July. In that 4th month period, I am miserable. Just plain miserable.

Let me put it like this: Christmas is to “the most wonderful time of the world” as spring and Easter are “the worse times of the years.” (A little fun with an SAT-like sentence).

I remember going to those hideous marathon Easter Masses (looking fab in my new outfit) with a runny nose, red eyes, tissues everywhere and people expressing their sympathy for me. Of course, being a good Catholic girl, it would have been wrong to get irritated with people and throw knives at them, so I just smiled and wished the unholy wrath of God on them.

And do not get me started on that darned incense! Can you believe that my nose was so stuffed; I could only smell incense and cigarette smoke.

Guess which smell I preferred.

And I’m not a smoker.

I wonder if there is a Drive-Thru 24 hour See’s Candies store around here. Google it!