After two more weeks of lockdown, I’m still looking out for good news and positive stories. Whatever your situation, this is uncharted territory, and I for one am relieved and excited to have something to celebrate this weekend.
Easter is a special time whatever your beliefs, coinciding as it does with the advent of spring and new life. As is often the case I find myself working on Good Friday, but I’ve been overjoyed to make plans for baking hot cross buns and painting egg shells this weekend – even if supermarket shortages mean I end up baking whatever I can find and painting paper instead!
I was charmed by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who this week told young New Zealanders that the government considers the Easter Bunny an ‘essential worker’. In a lovely message she added that the Easter Bunny might be a little busy with their own bunnies at home, so children may receive fewer treats. I remember the days of my own children being overwhelmed by an enormous chocolate egg from every relative and family friend, and can’t help liking Ardern’s suggestion of children drawing their own Easter eggs instead, and displaying them in the window for other children to spot on an ‘Easter egg hunt’ when out for walks in the neighbourhood.
Nowadays many people celebrate Easter in different ways, and I have been thinking a lot about new life and fresh beginnings. We have had some new additions to the family this week: four young hens. Some of you will remember the hens we kept several years ago, who we were very fond of. Now we have decided it’s time to fix up our old hen coop and fill the garden with inquisitive clucking (and lots of chicken poo) once again.
In the midst of all this it has been wonderful to be distracted by trying to give these hens the best home – and protection from foxes – possible, and to look forward to their company – and in future, their eggs! I’m planning to enjoy settling them in this Easter weekend, as well as drawing a colourful Easter egg for local children to spot in the window.