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I don’t remember cold Easters as a kid. I do remember the occasional need to wear my spring coat over a new Easter dress, but more often than not, it was wonderfully warm. I have pictures of me in my Easter finery, standing outside-sans coat but with white gloves-holding my basket of goodies. I remember associating the smell of ham and cloves with open doors and gentle breezes. It was the day that church seemed to blossom with flowered dresses and flowered hats. You can tell how old I am.

One Easter memory I have is going to Easter brunch with my parents on a day when it hit 80 degrees-practically unheard of for early April in Pittsburgh. Well, it was the most perfect Easter you can imagine. With sunshine, flowers and birds, the day looked like a Hallmark card. I guess it sticks out because I wore a rose, silk dress. I loved that dress, and like so many of my favorite items, can’t remember why it was finally ousted from my wardrobe. I think of that Easter often, which proves how a little thing like going out for a meal in a new outfit can stay with you for decades.

I also remember the Easter that I made my young daughter wear an adorable bonnet. She kept yanking it off and I kept tying it on. She didn’t care how cute she looked; the thing bothered her. That’s how parents are, I kept telling her: parents of daughter want them to look exceptionally adorable on holidays. She didn’t see eye to eye with that philosophy.

There is something unique about wearing new clothes, and traditionally, a person is supposed to wear new clothes on Easter. Many of us buy items, and then keep them in our closet for quite awhile, waiting for a “special” occasion. Have you wondered why we do that? It must be because there’s a desire in us to have something to celebrate, along with the wish to look good for the occasion. Every so often, I’ll pull out something I’ve been saving and wear it on a regular day, and it does make me feel a bit better. Unfortunately, we can’t get too used to always wearing new clothes, so, the rare incidence of doing so makes it even more special. The power that new clothes have is really outstanding; even new underwear can make a person feel like the day is going to be good…Perhaps the enigma lies in the sense of feeling different from our same old selves, and we like that.

Another memory I have is the year I was around 12 or 13, when I got my first high heels, to be worn with lacy stockings and a new navy and white Easter dress. It’s those kinds of memories that stay with us forever. Even though they seemed to be no big deal to my mother, I remember thinking those shoes were wonderful, but somehow the image of my daughter tottering around on her own heels didn’t have the same impact. Things appear decidedly different when a person is young, and it makes me wonder about what the memories kids of today will have of this holiday. The impetus to “dress up”, even for service and mass, isn’t a priority. With weather like this, what does it matter? It’s almost like not allowing one’s self to get excited about a Halloween costume because it will be covered up with a coat anyway. Maybe Easter shouldn’t come until May. Let’s see…if we have a “religious expert” doctor up the theological calendars…nah, the stores would never agree to have Easter sales clash with Mother’s Day sales.

You know, if there is only one day of the year we should have sun, it should be on Easter. The millions of Christians who enjoy the religious significance of this pinnacle of faith should have sun. It is only appropriate, considering what the holiday is about. Here is wishing all of you who will be celebrating Easter traditions a very happy day, regardless of the weather-but save your white shoes for another day. If you live in the Northeast, you may lose them in the snow.