Easter is early this year

I feel like Easter sort of snuck up on me this year, but that it is probably because it did! Even last week felt like it was just too close to St. Patrick's day to dye eggs and put out Easter decorations!

Easter does not occur on the same date each year.  

It can be observed anywhere between March 22nd and April 25th, depending on the timing of the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. With Easter falling on March 27th this year, that is nearly a month early compared to some other years. So - if you weren't feeling ready for Easter, perhaps it's because it really is very early, compared to many other years. 

Not all schools take their spring break at the same time, and Easter does not always coincide with those breaks. This year, Easter weekend marks the last few days of my daughter's break from college and the first weekend of my son's from high school. I have many fun memories of Easter egg hunts and sewing special outfits for my kids, but we celebrate Easter a little differently now!

One of my sisters was born on an Easter Sunday morning. For a while, I found it confusing that her birthdays were rarely on Easter and sometimes not even in the same month. When her eleventh birthday was the same day as Easter it seemed like a pretty special event, so I made sure she had a bunny cake! 

Sometimes Easter is associated with the beginning of Spring - but that really depends on where you live. In Montana, we have been seeing signs of springtime: some warmer days, tulips beginning to poke up through the soil and the return of the bluebirds. But, just two days ago we had some snow and this morning it was 20 degrees F. when I got up. Quite a chilly morning for anyone attending a sunrise service!

Whatever Easter means to you, and whether or not it is a holiday you choose to celebrate, I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Happy Easter - Happy Spring!

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