Published on: April 10, 2020
Growing up in south Georgia, there was almost always a cold snap near Easter. It didn't matter if Easter Sunday fell on the first weekend of March or late April. The wind howled, the mercury dropped, and yes, it can get darn cold in south Georgia.
It was as though winter was unwilling to release its frosty grip on the world, the dormant season refusing to be dethroned by the season of life and growth.
I always thought it was quite poetic, symbolic of the larger story of Easter. Life overcoming death in one of the bleakest moments of history. Light conquering darkness at sunrise. A pathway for a direct relationship with the Creator established for each one of us. Love conquering law.
Easter is my favorite holiday.
And, yet, I almost forgot about it this year.
I was at the grocery store a couple weeks ago stocking up on everything we could possibly need for the next two weeks. That grocery list included wine (because that's consumed more than bread in this household). I took one passing glance at the champagne and thought "There's absolutely nothing worth celebrating right now."
As mass graves are being dug to hold the bodies of the deceased in potter’s field in New York, Easter is upon us with its promise “There is always a reason to celebrate.”
It feels so discongruous for these two events to happen simultaneously. But, that’s how life is.
We’re just seeing an extreme version right now, with spring, the season of life and growth and renewal, and Easter, the holiday of life and hope occurring amidst a global pandemic… and it’s overwhelming. The pandemic itself feels like a season of life to be endured rather than truly lived through.
If you're a healthcare provider, I know you're just marking the days on the calendar until this is over. The same holds true for every essential worker out there.
But, this weekend, I invite you to hit pause just for a little while and take the time to enjoy life in this moment - as hard as that act may be.
Take a few hours to reconnect with yourself & to reconnect with nature even if that's just standing on your balcony and breathing in a few breaths of fresh air.
Take some time to move your body whether through yoga, Pilates, dancing, running on a treadmill, or some other form of movement. I know dancing looks out of place on that list, but there are few things in this wide world that make me utterly forget where I am and smile in complete joy.
Try a meditation. Make yourself a cup of tea and open a book just for 15 minutes.
If you’re simply overwhelmed by the heartache of the last few weeks, give yourself some space over Easter weekend to start grieving.
As for me, my pre-isolation self knew what my soul needed. I found a bottle of champagne at home. It’s chilling in the fridge now.
About the Author
Brandy's a formulation scientist and self-proclaimed health geek who loves hiking, gardening, bird-watching, and body boarding.
Her struggle with acne during her teens and 20s led to a holistic and healthy approach to skincare, embracing skin as an organ to be loved and cared for rather than a canvas to wage war on.
Since 2008, she's been developing all-in-one products for a simple routine at home, & Rain Organica started when her backpacking friends asked for a portable skincare routine to keep their skin healthy & happy on and off the trails.
You can try Rain Organica for yourself with The Essentials Kit, a complete skincare routine in just 3 steps.
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