Our Easter started off grey and windy. In the living room, we enjoyed the melodious sounds our wind chimes made. At 10am, we watched the live-streaming Easter Mass at our church on TV. Afterwards, the boys went out to hunt for Easter eggs amidst the wind. In the afternoon, we watched The Fellowship of the Ring.

This Easter is certainly historical as we tried to have a faint semblance of celebration of our Lord’s resurrection while death and destruction continue everywhere. I just learned that one of our neighbors and fellow Catholic has lost her part-time job while her husband is in furlough at his work. She laughed it off, saying at least they still have their health. Perhaps it is precisely during this time of pain and suffering that the reminder of Jesus’ resurrection becomes most significant. There would not be rebirth and renewal without death and pain.

Many people everywhere are hoping that some good will come out of this negative experience. For me, one good thing that has come out of this confinement is that I have really enjoyed seeing more of my children at home although it is somewhat stressful to supervise their school work. Our kids are so used to being relaxed at home that it’s difficult for them to stay on tasks while being surrounded by fun books, toys and shows. We are remarkably lucky in that David is still able to work and that we are able to take regular walks and hikes in nature near our home.

As I keep up with my French and Spanish studies at home, I want to try out new recipes so that our home life can become more enjoyable. We have been cooking a lot more. The boys help me bake cookies and apple pies; David and I recently made Yorkshire pudding together.