|
Some
things you never outgrow.
Like treasure hunts. When I was
growing up, we had an Easter treasure hunt. My mom made clues that
would send us hunting for the next clue and the next, until at the end
we’d find our Easter basket full of goodies.
I passed the tradition down to
my kids. It was not an easy task. Three kids meant three different
treasure hunts, each tailor-made to their respective ages. Before they
could read, I would draw the clues, making a picture of the TV or the
fireplace or Dad’s shoes. When they were older, I wrote out the clues,
but still kept them simple: “Where Mom makes the coffee” or “Where the
cat sleeps.” But as they got older, they were subject to the full
extent of my imagination. Suddenly, “Where the keys are” didn’t mean
where we put our car keys, it meant the piano and “Vivian Leigh” would
mean they should look for the next clue to be taped to the video of Gone
with the Wind. I liked that they had to use their noggins.
They hated it.
When the kids got older I tried
stopping the tradition, but they rebelled and insisted I continue. As I
racked my brain for original clues that would truly test their mental
abilities, I had a prophetic glimpse into the future and saw myself
making treasure hunts when my kids were in their forties. By then I’d
have grandkids and maybe even great-grandkids. Instead of three
treasure hunts, I’d have to come up with six or eight or . . . Help!
But
enough complaining. That my children like the traditions of our family
and look forward to them is a comfort. It’s also human nature. People
seek out what they know, what they can depend on. Whether it be
treasure hunts at Easter, back to school shopping and lunch at the mall
food court, or making
|
s’mores
in the fireplace on vacation, all these
traditions reinforce the fact we are a family. We are in this together,
and some things can be counted on no matter what.
Like
Jesus. During this Easter
season it’s comforting to relive the passion of His death and
resurrection. We seek it out. We depend on it. Christ’s awesome
expression of love reinforces the fact that we are a family. We are in
this together, and some things can be counted on no matter what. He
is the true treasure we search for at Easter.
Blessedly, some things we never
outgrow.
|
