As Lent comes to an end and we celebrate Easter weekend, I am struck again by how different this year has been.

Every year during Lent, like millions of other Christians, I have “given up” something.  Things like chips or chocolate or diet Coke or french vanillas; something I would miss.  It is a time for fasting, abstinence and almsgiving.

This year, when I thought about it, I decided that we have all “given up” enough this year.  If ever there was a year to focus on acts of service instead of abstinence, it is this one.  I have been impressed by the kindness that I am seeing around me this year, and I hope that trend continues

Easter is marking a year since this whole crazy thing began, but it is also bringing with it some of the hope that infuses the occasion.  We’re not there yet, and we are in the midst of another lockdown/stay at home/emergency brake (I can’t even with the terminology!), but vaccines are happening, so I feel like the end is in sight.  

I’m even starting to dream about what I’ll do when the world opens up again.  Right now, I feel anxious whenever anyone gets within 6 feet of me so I can’t imagine what it will be like to hug people again, but it will be nice to find out!

I have a long overdue trip to Newfoundland planned.  It has already been 15 months since I have hugged Phil, Jessica or Ethan.  Ethan has progressed from Robert Munsch to Junie B. Jones, but I can’t wait to hold him in my lap and read a book with him!  He entertains us with dance parties on FaceTime and we see pictures and videos of him snowboarding and snowmobiling, but I NEED a real live visit as soon as possible.

I also NEED to get to London if there’s any way that can happen this summer.  I keep feeling like rules will change once vaccinations hit a critical point, and I have hope that might happen.  I get my second shot on July 7th and Lisa and Adam are due to welcome our grandson on July 8th, so I have my fingers crossed that a trip might be possible!

I also have to get west to Calgary to visit Max and Erika.  By the summer it will be a year since I have seen them too.  

You know, it has never been easy having kids live far away but we have been really lucky to have lots of family visits over the years.  We typically all get together in the summer and at Christmas and then there are individual visits in between; that’s what I have missed most this past year!

Okay, that’s enough whining!  Let’s get back to the spirit of hope!  We’re going to get through this and life will be “normal” again and we will be able to travel and hug those we love.  Easter is the most hopeful of the holidays so it’s a good time to remind myself that good things are coming!

Happy Easter, friends…next year we will gather with all of our loved ones!