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Sunday, April 16, 2017

This is Easter

*This post got over 80K shares when I first published it on another blog. I thought I would share it today in the spirit of gratitude. 


Last night I had the sweetest conversation with the grocery clerk who was bagging my groceries.

Funny, I had never seen him before.

At first glance he might have been a college age surfer juggling a part-time job, but the terse movements of his arms and the deep lines in his tanned forehead suggested a seriousness about his years. And when I smiled at him I recognized the hardened face of someone who had been struggling for a while, so I couldn’t read his age when I asked if he had any plans for Easter.

But that was the magic question. The prodding that gave me an instant peek into his heart because his appearance immediately changed. His no-nonsense, working-for-a-living expression softened, his eyes turned misty and with a shy smile he told me he’d have to be up early to hide the Easter eggs.

“Oh you’ve got little ones?” I cooed. Because there’s nothing that melts my heart more than the idea of chubby little fingers wrapped tightly around an Easter basket. With all those high pitched squeals and wild romps through the damp grass in search of those bright, rainbow-colored eggs.

Ah, Easter eggs, the gems of childhood innocence.

The young grocery man told me he’d just moved his family from the South area in search of a steady job and he was relieved when he got hired at this store. He’d be getting health benefits soon and he was promised more hours. Recently, he’d gone in to ask his manager for the holiday off and was informed that it was against company policy to ask, but when the schedule came out she’d given him Easter off with his young family.

The whole day, so he was pleased. Yeah, things were looking up, he said.

As he transferred the bags from the grocery cart into my car, I asked him about his girls. A one year old and a seven year old. All ready for Easter with their brand new bonnets and spring-colored dresses. He’d gone out that very afternoon to buy them with his wife.

“It’s the one year old’s first Easter.” he announced, shaking his head with a smile. “That’s the exciting thing.”

And I smiled back, because I remembered the gloriousness of a one year old so well, even though it had been a long time.

This is what I love about Easter; this is what the life and death of Jesus gave us.

Easter is a day that offers us the promise of hope and new beginnings no matter what our stage of life. 

And Hope is a powerful thing.


It can save us.

Wishing you the comfort of hope and faith
today and always,
Leslie

14 comments:

  1. Hello dearest Leslie! Hope are the wings that take us on the journey of a lifetime toward divine love. PEACE TO YOU!

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  2. Leslie,
    Such a touching account. No wonder it's gotten so many reads.
    I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend with family and friends.
    xo,
    Karen

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  3. WELL< YOU KNOW WHAT MY FACE LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW!
    TEARS WELLING UP................
    THAT LAST PHOTO Is PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
    XX

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  4. Hope, sometimes it is all a person has. Hope to get through the next minute, hope for a better day a d better life and future. "Hope the greatest gift of Easter" the quote I had on my blog today. Such a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing! I hope that your story touches many more because it is a wonderful message.

    Happy Easter Leslie.

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  5. I've said it many times, but will say it again. You are a gifted writer! Your story is beautifully told in simplicity. Thank you, Leslie. Happy Easter to you and your family.

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  6. What a beautiful story. There is nothing quite like seeing the world through the eyes of little ones. Happy Monday, my friend!

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  7. This touched my heart. Hope is so amazing. And thankfully it shows up when and where we least expect it.

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  8. Tears in my eyes as I read this - a week late, but still a welcome morning read.

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  9. I was sure that I left a message last night, but I don't see it.

    I came back because I'm scrolling through blogs trying to get caught up.

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  10. Thanks Leslie for a touching story. You must have a keen sense of others for them to open up to you, it is a real gift. It reminds me to be open to others and be aware. I read somewhere "Hope is like a candle flame, the darker it gets the brighter the light. One must never give up on hope to make a better world for oneself and others. Bobbie from Spokane

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  11. What a precious story. Thans for sharing Leslie. You are such a wonderful writer!

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  12. Beautiful story. Hope you had a wonderful easter, we had a family holiday complete with a chubby 2 year olds hand clutching an egg as you describe, perfect. :-) XX

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  13. Oh my Leslie! This post really brought a lump to my throat and also made me realise how much I take for granted. How many people are like this lovely young man just battling to earn a living for him and his family? So beautifully told as always my friend xx

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