The Stay at Home Mother

Tomorrow marks Easter Sunday, and a day my children have been looking forward to for the last few weeks. The Easter Bunny is making his way to our house (and to my mom's) to bring lots of love in the form of chocolate. :)

We are also hosting an Easter Dinner for my family and my sister's inlaws. I am really looking forward to it - as it has been some time since we have all been together. It is a day that will be filled with mixed emotions. On Friday this week, we received news that my Aunt passed away from Cancer...

It has sent many of us in to a tail-spin as she wasn't very old - and was a close Aunt that I grew up with. I think more than anything, a death in a family makes us look at our own lives a bit closer, reminisce about days past - and take hold of the things that we need to appreciate in our own lives.

It is an especially hard time for my cousins - who are having to deal with the death of their mother (after losing their father to Cancer only four years prior).

I can close my eyes and see my Grandma, my Poppa, my Uncle, my Aunt all in the same room, having dinner together... It's like it was yesterday. And yet - it is not. It is today - and all of them have passed on....

When we have children of our own, I think it makes it even more clear how fast our lives really go by - and how important it is to appreciate everyone around us and to really take action with the things we want - and need - to do in our lives. It makes us realize that we should NEVER put off the things we can do today for tomorrow...seize the day!

If there is a relative or friend that you haven't connected with for some time, call them on Easter and reconnect. And if there are past grievances or disputes between you and a loved one - try to be the bigger person to be the first to extend the "olive branch". Trust me when I say - you will be glad you did.

I hope everyone enjoys Easter with their family and appreciates the joy and love that surrounds them. To all moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles - and friends - HAPPY EASTER!!!