On Easter - and growing up

Resurrection Sunday - what a joyful phrase! One of our texts on Sunday morning was from 1 Corinthians 15: For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. . . For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Where, o death, is your victory? Where, o death, is your sting?

We had a big Easter dinner at our house Sunday afternoon. 17 guests in our little place! We set up all our tables and chairs, got out all the extra plates and cups we could find . . . and pulled off a real holiday feast! The menu: homemade rolls, potatoes, green beans, honeybaked ham, turkey, my mom's pineapple souffle (an Easter staple for me!), veggies, salad, banana cream pie, strawberry shortcake, lemon tarts . . . Our guests were mostly Taylor friends and some other favorites.

It was while we were eating, as Megan and I sat squeezed together on a piano bench at the foot of our table, that Erin said, "I can't believe us right now! This food is good! We've really grown up!" And as I looked around the room, I couldn't help but agree. There were signs of adulthood everywhere - Easter centerpieces, fresh flowers, we bought a ham . . . and our friends were sitting around us, dressed in their Easter best, chattering away. It was a good feeling, if not a bit disconcerting. I do love my youth . . .

I needed not worry. There is plenty of 'youth' left in all of us, as later conversations on the couch attested to. Then there were the rest of the night's events- going for a walk on the Greenway that turned into an off-road exploration which landed Megan in the creek (and a mile-long walk back to the car in wet jeans). So maybe we're not that grown up yet. And that's the way I like it.

Christine, Michelle, and Julia caught at work.

Kelly sporting Princess Leia buns with the rolls.

Erin intently carving the ham.

The spread! Or part of it. It maxed out our kitchen!