Easter Season has come and gone and with it’s arrival the sunshine has finally returned to this grey cold land.  Winter seems to have been unbearably long for so many this year.  We are ready for rebirth, renewal, and healthful sunshine.  We embraced winter; don’t get me wrong. We played, went skiing, sledding, drank from the fountains of hot chocolate that kept flowing in our sunless kitchen.  The cobblestone streets of sunnier places welcomed our weary, sore throats and runny noses.  Rome filled us with a sense of spring to the point that we ate gelato like it was June in the tropics!  Porto, Portugal teased us with its white Port and tonic, chilled with sliced lemons as street performers sang and strummed.  Do you sense a theme here?  SUNSHINE, we are so glad you are back. This has been the longest grey period in Germany in years.  Lucky us, we got to be here for it.  Alas,  brighter days are coming.

Before I jump to the days ahead though, I want to just take a minute to reflect on how blessed I feel.  At this time of year I have such fond memories of Easter traditions.  The Sullivans were always making a feast of lovely foods, throwing great Easter Egg hunts and my mom always had us in our Sunday best for Easter Service. It was a special time and I think back on it so fondly.  Thank you to my aunts who made those childhood memories so happy for all of us. This Easter was so fun for us as Gloria and William are at great ages.  They enjoyed a terrific Easter party at school where they decorated eggs, had an egg hunt and created numerous art projects.  When home on Easter morning, they got right to work finding their Easter baskets and discovering all the treasures.  Gloria found Liam’s and brought him right to it, saying “look Liam, look Little guy, it’s your basket.”  Then before running to find hers, she meticulously went through all of his treasures beaming with excitement over his new puppy jammies and his new camera and his chocolate bunny.  She was a true cheerleader and little mommy.

Of course hers was equally amazing, filled with yummies and treasures.  The afternoon was a happy one of lounging, skyping family, eating cinnamon rolls from scratch and just being at peace.  We wish you a peaceful, sunny spring.  Breathe in that fresh air and get outside.  We are heading there now!