As young girls, my sister and I always knew Easter was just around the corner, not because of the calendar, but because our MOM would haul out the bottle of starch and get to work on our Can-can slips. Once they were stiff enough to stand up by themselves, it was official: Easter was on its way!
Dressing up for Easter was like preparing for a parade. Our dresses were the color of Springtime and they were covered with lace and ribbons. Oh....and those patent leather shoes that squeaked with each step.....and the curls in our hair were really bouncy.
My brothers had slicked down hair and clip-on ties as they were looking so spiffy in their Sunday best. My sister and I though...we were like stars as we would dance around like ballerinas in our Easter outfit....of course we always had a hat, gloves and a purse to match.
The sunrise on Easter morning always felt different and much brighter. Our church would be packed with families and we would all sing "He Lives" with all our hearts. For us kids, it was hard to sit through the service because we would already be dreaming of the egg hunt.
After Service, I can remember walking out the Church doors and seeing long tables that just seemed to have magically appeared. A huge spread of food completely covered the tables. Fried chicken, deviled eggs, potatoes, corn, cakes covered in coconut "grass" and the best biscuits anyone could ask for. These were some really good times..
We didn't fully understand the full weight of the verse;
"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."
Matthew 28:6
We could feel it, in the way our hearts swelled during the hymns.Even as a young kid we knew there was something very special about Easter and it wasn’t the Easter bunny.
I love remembering these very special times. I am thankful for parents who had us in church always.
Easter is a reminder of grace that we could never earn and a love that never lets go. It’s the day that changed everything.
Shug.
Shug, these are such beautiful memories. I had no siblings but my best friend and I would always dress up and yes there were the squeeky patent leather shoes, hats and sometimes gloves too.
ReplyDeleteHe Lives was always sung. What a powerful message.
I love your can-can slip all starchy and elegant for the "Easter Parade".
A church potluck after the service would have bee so wonderful. We always had company from church over for dinner. It makes my mouth water just remembering it. Mom was the best hostess and cook.
Thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
Sue
Those are lovely memories, Shug. I'm sure you were an adorable little girl. I can just imagine you dancing around the room in your Easter finery!
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful Easter memories! We didn't have starched slips, but we had new dresses and white gloves. We also sang He Lives in church!
ReplyDeleteWhat precious memories. My family were not church goers - so I missed out in all that. We would get dressed up in pretty dresses and I always thought, what a waste - we should be in church! lol. Out of the mouth of babes, God was calling me.
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet and wonderful memories these are!! I love the part about your slip being starched till it stood by itself!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Easter. I always had a new dress and patent leather shoes for the occasion, but no other accessories.
ReplyDeleteWhat memories you've evoked! I don't recall any church dinners on the lawn, but all the rest ... you betcha! I miss seeing little women dressed to the 9's.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Easter Sunday in the south!! Our starched petticoats made our dresses poof out so much we could hardly sit down in them! And white patent leather shoes and purse...and gloves! We didn't wear hats here in Florida, however. But I do remember wearing a little wreath of flowers in my hair on a little hat when we lived in PA. when I was very young. We usually had Easter dinner with the family, Grandparents, cousin, etc. My paternal Grandma used to roast a leg of lamb. It was SO good. I am really wanting to do that again, but the rest of the family aren't fans of lamb, so we will have ham. thank you for sharing your Easter Sunday memories...and yes, "He Lives! He Lives! Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me..." That is the song I remember most from Easter, that, and "Were You There?", and "Up from the Grave He arose!" and "Christ the Lord is risen today, alleluia!"
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful collection of memories from your childhood, Shug. You have been blessed with how you use your words. Easter is such a special day. Sending love and prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteOh yes a dress and a hat! All the ladies wore hats to church back then. We went to church every Sunday...we were only excused if we were vomiting.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have starched slips, but like you, I had a new dress and white gloves. Do kids of today know what white gloves are???? Beautiful memories there of your childhood.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Natural remedies can be valuable tools in addition to conventional medical remedies. The EU is ahead of the US in this area, however some well known hospitals are recommending them. Milk thistle seed extract shows promise as a therapy for several liver and kidney issues. Mt Sinai medical center website has excellent articles re:this. I used milk thistle seed extract as an addition to chemo years ago, with good results.
ReplyDeletea wonderful memory of Easter ...
ReplyDeletehappy blessed Easter to you and yours..
I never had a slip like that one but every year I would get a new outfit. Dress, frilly ankle socks, shoes, hat, purse and gloves. I remember at least one year also getting a new coat that matched the dress. Easter back then was so much different than it is these days.
ReplyDeleteSince we were poor growing up, all we got was a basket full of cheap candy...no frilly new duds going on in those days.
DeleteThank you, Shug, for sharing your childhood memories of Easter with us here. I know your gratitude toward your parents having raised you in the church is great. I wish mine had done the same. Blessed Easter, my friend, and know that Sam and you will be in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing about your beautiful memories, Shug. You dressed up so fancy for Easter. My kids always had a new dress and shoes to match, but I don't remember getting all decked out when I was growing up. But my mom always made such a wonderful Easter dinner. I remember those Easter egg hunts too. They were so delightful with all the cousins trying to find those hidden eggs. I can just see you dancing around in your Easter dress, with your hat and gloves and purse to match. What a wonderful memory, Shug. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Stand up by themselves. That's funny.
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet memories! I so wish you had a photo of you and your sister in those beautiful dresses! Have a wonderful weekend. Make some more precious memories!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories - a nice mixture of spiritual and worldly. In UK, Easter is a commercial festival, sadly.
ReplyDelete