My “Jesus Trees,” as my grandchildren call the dogwood trees, are in full bloom. Years ago when I told them that Jesus was crucified on the wood of the dogwood tree and that is why its growth was small, they have always called it the Jesus Tree. 
I remember years ago the weeks before Easter my mother would begin to sew my new Easter outfit. Earlier on in my “little girl” years these dresses and matching undies were made from pretty flour sack materials. I do not think I had a store bought dress until I was a teenager.
She always bought me white shoes, lace socks, and a small hat and gloves. I have several pictures of me dressed in my Easter finest. We would go to my grandmother’s for dinner and meet with all my cousins, also dressed in finery. We all brought brightly colored eggs to be hidden and hunted by all the young cousins.
This same tradition was carried on in our family, dressing up and going to church on Easter Sunday. Afterward we met at our house in the country for a lunch of barbequed ribs and all the fixings. It is not a traditional Easter lunch, but this is our tradition. Then melancholy clouds my feelings as we only have one who still believes in the Easter Bunny and who wants to hunt the brightly colored eggs.
Not too many years ago, all 10 ran around looking for the dyed eggs. Time marches on, no matter how much we would like for it to slow down. We have two grandsons who are very close to leaving for college and I am NOT ready for that.
The Easter Bunny bringing eggs came from the German settlers in the 1700s. The legend is that the Easter Bunny comes the night before Easter, much like Santa, and brings colored eggs, candy and toys and either leaves them in a special place or hides them to be found the next morning. Over the past 200 years this has become the most commercialized symbol of Easter. I do not believe there is anything evil about the Easter Bunny, but what is important is our focus.
Children should know the difference and know that this day is a day to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. My daughter makes resurrection rolls the day before Easter to help explain how He rose and left his tomb empty and this is what we celebrate. The next time you see a dogwood tree, remember it was chiseled into a cross and used to hang Jesus, but not even the tomb could hold Him.
Weekly recipe
Resurrection Rolls – l can of crescent rolls, separated, 8 large marshmallows, ¼ cup melted butter, 2 T. cinnamon, 2 T. sugar – Preheat oven to 400*. Mix cinnamon and sugar. Dip marshmallow in butter and into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of the roll cover and pinch the seams together. Place on baking sheet and bake about 15 minutes.
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Peggy Sims is a food columnist and
resident of Kosciusko.
