Happy Easter!
Sometimes it’s hard to be a blog writer. I struggle with how to treat holidays. There is a fine line between being yourself yet be respectful to others. Let me explain….
I grew up with differing opinions regarding religion in my family. I spent many days hiding out in other parts of the house trying to avoid the kitchen where my mom and my sister argued over whose religious opinion was right. I was just a kid at the time. Through this my Mom and my sister both had a part in souring me towards religion. They argued and argued over which day the sabbath should be observed. They argued over if Christmas should be celebrated. They argued over teaching of the old testament in the bible vs the new testament. I had more religion than I ever wanted. At times, it made me not want to see my sister…but thankfully she had a bunch of kids that came with her, my nieces and nephews, and I could play with them and get away from it all.
At the time I remember vividly thinking that if God was so picky about the day to observe the sabbath and so picky about which day was actually the day Jesus was born I likely wasn’t going to make it. My mom and sister fought about calendars and time periods trying determine the actual days religious holidays should be celebrated and how they were to be celebrated. I was just a kid. There was no way that I could figure it out. So I decided then and there, I would try, but if God wanted me, he’d have to accept me flaws and all because there was no way I could know this. That’s still my stand. At that point too I decided that I don’t believe there is any one religion.
To this day, if my sister talks about religion it makes me curdle. I have no desire to blow my religious beliefs out there as I know, it can turn people off. It can offend people. It can bring up more wrong than it does right…so for me, holidays here on the blog are awkward. I don’t want to offend any of you. I want to accept people where they are. I don’t want to force my beliefs on anyone else.
But…I am me and I do have my beliefs. I feel like it is my blog and I should be able to say what I think…this is what I would pick…
but remember I don’t want to offend-oh this world has gotten hard.
…so what kind of little image do I attach to a blog post that says…Happy Easter.
If I was addressing some I might do this….
For some I might do this….
For some I might do this….
If there is anyone out that that I have offended…I am so sorry. So, whatever your beliefs…have a good day!  Wherever you are on this Sunday…Have a good day!
You have me covered on that last one. Hope your Sunday is wonderful as well.
Happy Easter Jo! I never understand how people get offended by the true meaning of Easter or Christmas. It is what it is and it’s not the bunny or Santa!
It’s your blog. If people are offended, they don’t need to read that day.
agreed.
at the end of everything people are what they are, hearts will be revealed for what they contain, nothing will be hidden, and all the answers we ever needed will be known.
But before it gets to that point is where charity and forgiveness prevail, and that’s what we celebrate today.
I’m half Greek and the Orthodox calendar is is about a week later than the traditional one. It never bothered me which one was celebrated. My grandfather was a seeker. He started out Greek Orthodox, went through Jehovah’s Witnesses, and ended up Mormon. Our philosophy has always been one God, many paths. But it doesn’t stop me from being envious of Easter Brunch as I’m getting ready for church!
Be yourself. Always be yourself. You cannot offend the people who care about you and love you.
Happy Easter to you and your family. Bless you for all you do to try to please so many..You are the one who shares your feelings with us..Thank you
Happy Easter to you and the entire family! Thanks for all you do and share.
Hope your Easter is all you desire. Love your blog! Thank you!
Happy Easter to you and your family ! Those who care about you only want your happiness. Enjoy the day and celebrate in a way that’s meaningful for you and those you love.
Happy Easter to you and your family. Religion is religion. Spirituality plays a big part in my life.
Happy Easter-He is Risen! It’s your blog. You write what’s in your heart. No need to address anyone else on holidays nor worry about offending.
I hope you have a wonderful and Blessed Easter!
Happy Easter Jo and family! Enjoy your day!
. . . and to those toooo easily offended – Happy April Fools Day!
Happy Easter, Jo and family!
I love you! I am glad we could “hide” together. That was never my favorite thing about our visits but I never dreaded coming to see my BFF!
have a happy Easter and a lazy Sunday and enjoy the Easter eggs! I’m not religious but respect the beliefs of others and always hope they don’t pressure me to believe what they believe
I am a non religious Jew living in NYC. You make me want to move to Iowa so we can be friends. Happy Easter.
Happy Easter. Say what you want, it’s your blog, and here in American we are granted the right to freedom of speech. If you don’t like what you read, turn off the computer. May your day be a great one no matter what you do.
Wishing you and yours a happy fun filled Sunday celebrating Easter any way you wish. I enjoy your blog and how honest you are with us.
He is Risen! Hallelujah! The Bible says we should not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
Unconditional Love is what its all about Jo and every time you take the time to share your life and brightened other people’s day you share in the spirit of that first Easter. Thanks for all you give!
Jo – you have thoughtfully chosen ‘not to offend’ by simply acknowledging many people’s differing relationships with (or not with) religion and this holiday. I am never offended by someone else’s belief, or even their wishing the blessings of a holiday to me – I am offended when they think I ‘must” believe the same way they do. You did good, hun.
Your post was very entertaining! I know exactly where you are coming from. But it’s your blog and you can put whatever you want in it and if people don’t like it, too bad for them. have a Happy Easter, lazy Sunday kind of day.
Oh Jo…I think you covered all bases on Easter Sunday. Most of just be yourself and Keep the Faith. Love your blog because it is about your real life.
I’m with you on religion. I’m not a church goer, but I have my beliefs, not that anyone wants to hear them, and feel that arguing about religion is a waste of time and effort. When I think of all the bloodshed that differing views on religion have caused over the ages it just turns me off and makes me glad I was never indoctrinated at a child. Happy Easter to you Jo and your family. Celebrate the way you want to and don’t worry about what anyone else might think.
Happy Easter to you and your family! Hope you have a wonderful day. Jo I love your blog! You are so real that I feel that we are friends. You give so much to everyone and I enjoy that so much.
Thank you for all that you share with us.
I make no apology for saying Praise the Lord, He is risen. That being said, I don’t write a blog and I can see your viewpoint. In my classroom, I walked a fine line and couldn’t say all the things I wanted, so I understand. Whatever you believe, have a good day.
Happy Easter! People are so easily offended by anything these days. Don’t hide your opinion or belief. It’s your blog and your belief. If it offends someone it’s on them not you. Life’s too short to be offended by everything.
My family also argued about religion at the dinner table My father was Southern Baptist, My mother Congregationalist, My grandmother. Lutheran …no big arguing..but still…
As I grew older, I came to believe, that if there was a god…it was not me!!!
I’m sorry holidays were so difficult for you as a child. I think you’re doing it right — you’ve figured out what you believe, and you’re accepting of others and their beliefs. Perfect!
We had a lovely Easter brunch at my brother and sister-in-law’s house a few towns away, enjoyable and nonsecular. Some people went to church this morning, some didn’t. Happy Easter, Jo, and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today. Hoping for a healthy Spring for you, your family, and the childcare kids!
I remember a song by Ricky Nelson “Garden Party”
One line ” You got to please yourself”
So your blog you get your chance to post what will please yourself and you did a great job of that and pleasing lots of ours judging by the comments
Easter: My very favorite of all the Holidays! If I were to pick one of the four illustrations above as to my feeling, it would be the same as your pick, that’s the most important to me. But I love what all the others represent too! Bunnies and Easter eggs, beautiful flowers growing, the trees blooming, Spring in all it’s glory! Easter and Spring for me, mean renewal, new beginnings and hope. Blessings to you and your family, today and all year through.
Jo, I come to your blog for many reasons. Your good stories. Your humor. But, I think if I were really honest, I come to your blog because I can sense, somehow, that you would not be offended by my Christianity. Not that I would think there would ever be an occasion for that, but still. So many blogs I have tried to keep up on are blatantly anti God. It would break my heart for the people posting and it was very discouraging. You and your blog lift me up. I feel welcome and like I can be myself. Thank you and many continued blessings.
Jo you are the sweetest person I have ever come across in blog land
Happy Easter to you and your lovely family . Blessings Sandra