This year for Easter, I am combining Easter and St Patrick's Day. Yes, they are a month apart. Both of these holidays hold fond memories and expectations as my family has evolved with the College calendar; I have come to embrace the idea celebrations and family time will look different.
Combining Easter and St Patrick's Day has led me to research the origins of each. St. Patricks Day stays on March 17th unless, on the rare occasion, Palm Sunday inadvertently gets in the way. The Lunar Calendar determines Easter and Palm Sunday. Easter Falls after the full moon's first Sunday and Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter.
I found natural connections to Spring, rebirth, and redemption on St. Patricks Day and Easter. Seeing connections gave me confidence in finding a way to celebrate. I will serve corn beef, cabbage, mashed potatoes, soda bread, and apple cake. The traditional Easter bit will come from the ham and asparagus; I will most likely add more dessert and at least one or more versions of devil eggs.
I, of course, will make sure to have the Easter eggs, Easter Baskets, Spring flowers, and decorations.
Celebrations have become more critical as we have embraced the idea of change and Evolution. College experiences have changed our family in so many different ways. St. Patricks Day, Easter, and Spring bring the ideas of growth and Evolution to the forefront as I embrace the concept that Happiness Evolves.