Happy Easter 2026

I had a love hate relationship with Easter growing up. Not because of Bunnies or the resurrection of Jesus. But because I was a tom boy who preferred mismatched clothes and shoes or jeans and a t-shirt to getting dressed up in an actual dress (with matching shoes) for church.

I was a hyper, imaginative child who loved climbing trees and making up a whole world outside all my own. Easter Sunday involved dressing up as I mentioned above, and then sitting still (or trying to)...for hours while anticipating getting to search for the eggs we had colored the night before.

As far as the things I did love...I always loved the community of Easter. Everyone coming together to have a potluck style meal, hunting for Easter eggs and sweet treats. The stories of Jesus unconditional love, forgiveness and sacrifice on the on the cross for Good Friday. And the stories of his resurrection redeeming mankind.

I also always loved the pastel colors of Easter, mint green and the softer sides of blue, purple, pink, yellow and more. One Easter I got a bendable Easter bunny toy and a big inflatable Easter egg with bunnies on, it which I was obsessed with. Maybe one day I can find one again and see if I still love it the same, knowing me I absolutely will lol.

Easter obviously is a lot different for me now. Because of my battle with chronic illness. It is rare that I get to go to any Easter service. I don’t hunt Easter eggs anymore (although I do still occasionally color them) stay childlike people. And although I do have to dress up regularly now for meetings and such connected to writing, I still don’t love it. If I could dress up like it was the regency era I would probably love it more (well, minus the corset) ha!

I live in comfy summer dresses now, I hate bugs and worms and I cannot fish, all things that used to not bother me at all. I am much more of a girlie girl than I ever thought I would be for sure, and I am actually not upset about it lol. Even with chronic illness the fierce independence that I gained growing up has not left me. I am eternally thankful for that.

I hope this Easter is an amazing one where you can look at your life and see the good, and the miraculous moments that still exist every day, in spite of the struggles and chaos. I hope you can find some happy memory to connect with your childhood and that if you can't you are able to create a new one to help heal your inner child heal. I hope you get to spend time with family chosen or thrust upon you lol.

I will repeat this forever...I’ve learned that above all else, gratitude no matter what you are going through is always life changing, and for the better. But it does take a great deal of practice. A very worthy practice.

I hope you get to attend an amazing and hopeful service that truly shares the incredible and unconditional love of God, that you get to eat a delicious home cooked meal and color some eggs, fake or real. But above all else I hope you get a moment to breathe and to know that you matter and that you are loved.

Happy Easter!!!!

Be honest, Be real, Be you

Bobbie De Leon