...and that's what Easter is all about.

When you meet my mother I have a feeling you begin to understand me in a whole new way. I think that in a way, that's true for most people. Meeting someone's parents allows you to understand why that person is the way they are a little better. However, I think my resemblance to my mother goes a bit deeper than most. That may have to do with the fact that my brother's resemblance to my father goes a whole lot deeper than most (mainly b/c they didn't spend everyday together so to have the same voice inflection, laugh, mannerisms, and interests is amazing). Luckily for me, most days I really like my mom so I don't mind being like her in a lot of ways.

For as long as I can remember, we have always had people over for holidays. Not just family but friends and neighbors. I'm not sure if this is because we aren't real sure what will happen if its just the family so we invite others over to be buffers or if it really is the heart beat of my mother to reach out and always minister when the opportunity to presents itself. I'm sure there is some of both, but i believe more of the latter. My mom genuinely loves people. I've always known this about her but I think this Easter it became more real.

Easter Sunday was coming up and mom asked if I had any friends in town who wouldn't get to go home and be with thier families. I was certain I did so I told her I would get back to her. Like I said earlier, we've always had people over for Easter lunch, thanksgiving dinner, etc. Sometimes its been neighbors, friends from church who have lost loved ones...once I went to college in town it quickly turned into me having friends over who couldn't go home and see thier own parents. So, I emailed a few friends to see if folks were staying here or going home. I began to get a lot of responses about friends that would love to come over. I started getting nervous b/c I could tell right away this wouldn't be the same gathering of a few friends like there had been in years past. I got nervous that my mom would get upset because of all the people coming over. I told her my concern and she looked at me and said, "Oh, that's fine. That's what Easter is all about!" Meaning, what a better time than resurrection Sunday to fellowship with loved ones.

The more I think about it, I think that's what life is all about ultimately. Yes, Easter and Christmas and Thanksgiving are all great times to spend with family and friends, but I guess this is maybe something my mother has enstilled in my heart. A love for people. Maybe this is why I throw so many parties and always want to have people over. That's what life is all about, right? We are called to have life and to have it abundently. I guess that looks different for everyone. But to me, thanks to my mom, that looks like having lots of friends over for good food!

All that to say, I like my mom. I like the ways that I'm like her. I'm thankful for her and Jimmy and that they love my friends just as much as I do. And that they love when 17 of them come over for Easter Lunch! I hope each of you had a great Easter...wether it was spent with family or friends or a mixture. After all, that's what Easter is all about. And if that doesn't sound like a line from Charlie Brown then I'm not sure what does!