Mt. Olive Seniors by Dixie Kuykendall

The North Jefferson News



I wondered why Easter was coming around so early this year.

After a little research, now I know. It’s history in the making!

Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Here’s the interesting information: This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see. And, only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early. The last time it was this early was 1913 and the next time Easter will be this early will be the year 2228, if He doesn’t return before then!

A commercial I saw recently for Russell Stover Candy stuck in my mind. There was a family gathering with children hunting Easter eggs. The message was, “another Easter – the cast has changed; but, one thing remains the same.” And the camera zooms in on a child with a Russell Stover chocolate bunny.

I have thought about my own family Easters over the years. Yes, the cast has changed. We lost our monarch grandmother — the glue that bound our family together for almost a century. Then, the loss of our mother who worked her entire life to continue the legacy of strength and love and holding family values precious. The cast changed time and again as we added some by marriage and have been blessed with some beautiful babies.

Spiritually, Mama is still with us — her legacy will always be an integral part of our lives. The frightening thing is that now I realize that I have replaced the Monarch grandmother! The responsibility has fallen on me to continue the legacy. I’m sure that I’m not the only senior that has suddenly come to this realization. How are we doing?

Isn’t it wonderful to know that even though our family “cast” changes and our personal circumstances changes, there is still one thing that will always remain the same? God’s word! God’s promises to us and His faithfulness in keeping them.

Do our grandchildren know the real meaning of Easter — that it is not just about chocolate bunnies?

What kind of a legacy are we – as senior citizens – leaving?

Dixie Kuykendall writes a weekly column on Mt. Olive seniors. She can be reached at 631-0049 or at dixiek@bellsouth.net.