The month of April is a time of new beginnings. Daffodils and tulips are the first flowers to emerge and bloom after a long cold winter, bringing a burst of color to the cold, brown landscape. Weather in Michigan can be unpredictable this month, but there are typically those welcome days that are warmer with the sun shining bright.
Easter falls on April 20 this year, bringing with it the message of new life, rebirth and new beginnings. The holiday is celebrated in churches everywhere, telling the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the sense of renewal and hope it brings.
Families honor the day by attending church services and then gathering at a favorite local restaurant to enjoy a special Easter brunch or dinner. Others prepare a special meal at home after children enjoy searching for colorful Easter eggs and baskets filled with chocolate bunnies and lots of candy.
What are you serving for Easter dinner this year? Some of the more popular and traditional dishes include glazed ham or roasted leg of lamb, along with sides like mashed or scalloped potatoes, asparagus, green beans and glazed carrots. The table typically features deviled eggs – reflecting both religious and seasonal traditions. Some choose to serve fish, such as a simple salmon baked with fresh dill and lemon slices.
My Easter dinners have varied throughout the years. One of my more memorable ones was enjoyed during the COVID pandemic shutdown when the normal family tradition of attending church and a shared meal could not take place. I spent days preparing a festive meal of glazed ham, cheesy hash brown potato casserole, fresh green beans simmered with bacon, deviled eggs, homemade dinner rolls and a variety of desserts – pineapple upside-down cake, strawberry shortcake and frosted cupcakes decorated with coconut and jelly beans.
Since I couldn’t share the special day with my loved ones, I delivered the Easter feast to family members and close friends. It took away a little bit of the pain of not spending the holiday with the special people in my life, and it brought some joy to many of those I care about.
I have already planned this year’s Easter meal. I will prepare a traditional dinner of glazed ham, creamy scalloped potatoes, asparagus, deviled eggs and dinner rolls, with strawberry shortcake (my personal favorite) for dessert. I will hide some colored eggs for my youngest grandson to search for and of course, assemble a basket of his favorite candy.
The year of the pandemic, I believe, made us all appreciate how important it is to spend time with our loved ones and to cherish our time together. I look forward to and will never take for granted the opportunity to spend time and the holidays with family and close friends. For me, Easter truly is a time to celebrate the message of hope, and the opportunity for new beginnings it brings to all of us.
