Easter Eggs and a Glossy Train (personal narrative)

On By Michele LeeIn Humor, Outdoor Adventures, Prose

Easter brings an early sunrise, reflection, time outdoors, and dinner with my family. Sometimes we place flowers at the cemetery and sometimes I get to hug two adorable great nieces. Even more rare are drives to the Pacific Coast during the Easter weekend. However the holiday weekend unfolds, it is peaceful. Easter hasn’t always been a quiet affair for me. Having a mom who is one of ten kids, who have forty-six children combined, and who (mostly) lived in the same city meant family gatherings were quite lively when I was a child. My mom is one of seven girls, and she has three brothers (two dec.). They grew up on a farm in Arkansas before moving to Arizona in the sixties. Imagine the stories I heard as a child, about their difficult life on a farm in the American South. Stories most always told with laughter, especially from my Uncle Kenny; he was a character with a sarcastic streak. He and I shared many laughs. His attire was always the same: cowboy hat and boots, Wranglers with a noticeable western belt buckle, and a long-sleeve button-up western shirt. He found a punch line in everything. Like my grandma, his mom, he didn’t always finish his jokes, because he was laughing so hard. Also like my grandma, and a few of her children, they have (or had) a slanted smile. Slanted, but always radiant.

Easter at my grandma’s meant hunting for decorated eggs in her oleander-lined backyard. Dozens of cousins racing in every direction to find a hard-boiled prize. It meant fighting with my older brother when he smashed my Easter eggs on the ground. Real eggs! Not plastic candy-filled eggs like kids have today. Easter meant wearing an Easter dress and sometimes a matching hat. Easter meant watching my mom and her animated sisters prepare the kitchen table with enough food to feed three more families our size. All homemade, all delicious. It meant running across the street to a large city park and climbing on an actual train caboose. The caboose was painted a glossy black and we were able to climb into the hollowed-out interior and play and imagine while looking out the open-air windows. Years ago, the caboose was deemed unsafe by the city for a variety of reasons. I am glad I am in the generation that was able to play in that train. We may have licked some lead paint, but we had a great time and even better memories.    

We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.

George Bernard Shaw

Thank you for visiting and reading. Wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend. Happy Easter! 🐇 Be Well. 💗 Michele

A most sincere thank you to J Re Crivello, at Masticadores, Spain, for publishing my poem, “Vintage Strength“ – He and I appreciate your visit.

Find my photos, reels, and micropoetry on IG ~ @mlsefton

Photo 1: shutterstock Nature shot: my image, Bougainvillea plant in a friend’s backyard

© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton

104 thoughts on “Easter Eggs and a Glossy Train (personal narrative)”

  1. How different to come from such a large family. It sounds fun and full of life and food! The caboose sounds great too Michele. Does your family still gather or are they dispersed around the country as so many families are? Happy Easter!

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    1. It did not feel “different” to me when I was child, but of course I now know how unique it is to come from such a large family, that for the most part lived by each other. We never lacked for food with my grandma and her daughters around. We also never lacked for entertainment with so many personalities around. 😆 The train was fun, yes. 🚂 The last time I visited my hometown, it was still there, but no longer accessible. Too bad! The large gatherings stopped after my grandmother passed a few years ago, and yes, as my grandmother’s descendants have multiplied to a number I have lost track of, some have moved out of the area, although my mom and most of her siblings have remained. Thank you for reading! Happy Easter to you too, Brad. 🌻

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    1. Yes, indeed, many memories that make me smile. Believe it or not, once when we traveled to the coast during Easter weekend, Carlsbad, it was peaceful. I was actually struck by the serenity of the morning. I think it matches the general tone of the holiday, for most people. Thank you for your visit. Enjoy your Easter weekend. 💐

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    1. Thank you. Carlsbad is a beautiful place, yes. I have several fond memories of being there, including surfing with my daughter and her friend a few years ago. An attempt to surf anyway. 😆 It was more falling than surfing, but a fun time with the girls. Yes, the entire area can be quite busy, esp. Pacific Beach, but I will never forget how quiet and peaceful Carlsbad was while walking along the beach, when visiting several Easters ago.

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    1. Thank you, lovely lady Thattamma. I enjoyed reflecting and writing about sweet Easter memories. It is through writing that the details emerge. ✍🏻✨ I am grateful for your visit and kind wishes. Sending the same to you and your beautiful family. 💖💐

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  10. A gorgeous reflection, Michele. Thank you for sharing it with us. 💖 It reminds me of growing up in a similar sized family in Los Angeles and all the fun and love I was surrounded by. Led paint was, I’m sure, also on the list, though it probably came from one of my grandpas many car projects. 😅Wishing you a gorgeous weekend, and a very Happy Easter! 🌼🌿🌳🌸

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    1. Thank you, Jeff. So kind! Writing about memories is interesting to me. Through the process of writing I remember things like my uncle’s fancy western belt buckles, my grandma’s oleander bushes, and Easter bonnets. Writing delivers many gifts. ✨ Thank you for reading! I am sure you have your share of stories, growing up in a large family in LA, as you mention. Large families are not without their drama too. A wealth of writing inspiration! 😆 Wonder if the toxic paint and other unsafe things built up our strength and immunity? 🤔 😱 Thanks for the weekend wishes. Hope the Easter bunny drops by and delivers smiles and chocolate! Peace. ✌🏻🕊️🌸🌳

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      1. You’re most welcome, Michele. Always! Writing about memories is interesting. I’ve done some of it in the past couple of years, and find it an invigorating and sometimes painful experience. Indeed, it is interesting the things that come to mind for me too, like my grandpas pipe, and my grandmas endless collection of metaphysical books (a devout catholic). Haha. I think those toxins probably did strengthen our immunity! 😅 Anyway, it’s always a pleasure to read you and to connect with you. You’re most welcome. Always. Thank you for the well wishes! 💖

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  11. Sounds like marvelous family memories at Easter, of a family with so many to remember! You do indeed take a nice picture in your dress and matching hat, also. Congratulations on having your “Vintage Strength” poem featured, very cool! And, I wish you and yours a Happy Easter, Michele. 🐇

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    1. Many marvelous holiday memories, indeed, with the presence of several strong women who knew how to laugh and (over)feed a hungry bunch! Thank you, Phil, for your kind comments. 🙏🏻It should be a lovely day – a warm one too. Happy Easter! 🌄

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  13. Timothy Price

    Happy Easter, Michele. Easter memories. You made me think back. I have no good memories of Easter when I was a kid. Mostly because I was an “Ick” as my mom used to say. I didn’t like the church services. I didn’t like painting eggs. I hated hunting for eggs. Since we were on a farm, chicks, ducklings, goslings, and bunnies simply came with the season. During my preteen and teenager years Easter Sunday was not any Sunday, so no motocross races. What was a wild young motorcyclist to do? On a happy note. Your dress is lovely,c Congratulations on your poem published at Masticadores, Spain. We’ve had a bunny hopping around the property blessing us for Easter.

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    1. Thank you, Timothy. Happy Easter to you and your family. “No good memories” – That is no bueno! The good news is, as a grown-up you can create your own traditions that don’t have to be traditional, including riding a motocross bike, should you choose. 🏍️ My narrative was a snapshot of Easter traditions during my younger years. They did not always look like that, but I have fond memories of those early years, with my cousins. I am happy to deliver a happy note. 😄 Thank you for your thoughtful comments. 🙏🏻You do have your share of wild critters – hopping, flying, crawling, swimming, slithering – living where you do. Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen any wild bunnies in a while. 🤔 The coyotes must be eating well. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Ken. I appreciate you reading my Easter share. 🙏🏻It was a sweet trip down memory lane. ✍🏻 Glad you like the quote by Irish writer, Shaw. It is a good one! Words to live by, as they say.

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  16. What a lovely memory, your childhood sounds somewhat like mine, lots of relatives, lots of laughs, lots of food and lots of love! haha “we may have licked some lead paint” No doubt for sure we did. And I love that quote you added from George Bernard Shaw, I truly believe that. You have made me nostalgic for another time but it’s a good nostalgia! Thank you Michele 🙂

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    1. Yes, indeed, those early memories are sweet and make me smile. How wonderful that you shared similar experiences. Thank you for sharing. 😁 A train may be an unusual piece of playground equipment but there are many other examples that are no longer allowed due to the “dangers” involved, and no doubt, the toxic paint. Yikes! I love that quote too! You embody that spirit with your travels and adventures. Good for you! Thank YOU! Enjoy your weekend. 🌞🌄

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    1. Thank you, Natalie, for the lovely compliment and the Easter wishes. 🌻 Writing about my early Easter memories made me smile. 😊 The weekend is off to a lovely start. I hope your weekend is full of smiles, joy, and lovely spring weather. 🕊️🌼🤗

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed my post, Nico. Thank you! It is my privilege to reflect, write, and share and what a treat it is to connect with inspirational and supportive writers like you. I am grateful for your blessings. Wishing you the same. 🕊️

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  20. Oh my gosh Michele, I embrace and share your special childhood reflections and memories. But girl, I love this: “We may have licked some lead paint, but we had a great time and even better memories.” Honey chile, we survived lead paint, eating dirt pies, and riding bicycles 🚴🏼‍♀️ without helmets, and not once knocking our brains out if we fell. 😊✨🤗

    Oh what good ole days. 😁 Thanks so much for sharing your Easter memories and adventures on that black caboose! So exciting. Happy Easter to you my sweet friend and dancing partna. 💃🏼🎵💃🏽🌺😎

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    1. Thank you so much, Kym. I feel your embrace. 🤗 So sweet, you are! How did we survive?
      😂 Let’s not forget… we also drank straight from the garden hose! 🤣 Good times during the good ole days. 💗 Thank YOU for reading and sharing laughter with me. I trust you are having a lovely Easter Sunday – dancing, laughing, and enjoying yummy treats. 💃🏽💃🏻 😄 🍰

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      1. Michele, you ALWAYS bring a gargantuan smile to my face. 😁 Yes ma’am, who knew the child-proof things that weren’t childproof back then would NOT kill us? Who woulda thunk??? 🤨🤔🙄 OMG! 😜

        Here’s to a FANtabulous Easter 🥂 and may your week ahead be MERRY and BRIGHT! 🥰💖😍💃🏼✨😎🎵💃🏽

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  22. Easter on a farm was an interesting experience. We would be off to chapel on a Sunday, for my father and I there would be times when we were both taking services. In a farming community it was more about the changing of seasons, a time for sowing, lambing almost over, and so on. You certainly needed patience and humour on a farm, but the rewards of being side by side with nature were many.

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    1. I enjoyed reading about your farming experience. Thank you for sharing, David. I am not sure how much patience my elders had, but they did have humor. At least in the telling of their experiences. 😄 Being side by side with nature is a blessing. 🙏🏻 Wishing you a wonderful spring season. 💐

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    1. It was a joy to reflect and write about a sweet snapshot from my childhood. More importantly to remember the feeling of being a carefree kid – a feeling we should all do our best to nurture and express. ✨ Thank you, David, for savoring every sentence. I love that! 💗 Best to you and your family!

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  24. I love people with slanted smiles, they just cannot contain their joy, that’s all. Bless them.
    Easter of my childhood started with a new hand-sewn bonnet with pretty ribbons. And we sang joyous songs and congregated at the park by the seaside for a rumbunctious egg hunt. And we ate. Was fun. Thanks for sharing your lovely memories. Stay sweet. xoxo

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    1. What a beautiful description of slanted smiles. Thank you, Selma! Your childhood Easter memories made me smile. Thank you for sharing. 💗 Those hand-sewn bonnets! 👒😊 Sending you hugs and sweet thoughts on this Easter Sunday. 🌞

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  27. What fine summer memories! Your experience of the American South as told through the people you know is rich with the past and alive with the vibes found especially in Rick Braggs’ writing. He is a writer from Alabama and I found his books have a certain cultural distinction that is found in memories as unique and happy as yours.

    I must say, at the time of living a moment, it is perfect. Only in looking back do we start to notice little things that never before mattered to us or made any real difference. 🙂

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    1. Sweet memories of carefree cousins. 💗 The subject of many stories, should I choose. I am most honored by your mention of Rick Braggs. I just read several of his preview pages, including his book that features cooking. I love his style! 🙏🏻My family memories are married with food and hospitality. Not only did my grandmother cook for ten children, when she was young she was the cook at a boarding house.

      Writing does invite us to live in the moment. What a wonderful gift, along with many other writing discoveries. A merging of history with new insight and creativity. I love that too! Thank you for your visit, writer Jaya.🌻

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  30. What a great Easter story. My husband and I always joke with our grown kids that back when we were kids it was like we were feral cats. We would leave during the day, wondering around, exploring, riding our bikes. Eventually we would show back up at home once we got hungry. Used to drink from water hoses in each others yards too, and rode in the back beds of our father’s trucks. We have broken bones and scars from some of those adventures, but oh what fun we had just being kids.

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    1. I am pleased to read you enjoyed my story. Thank you! “Feral cats” 😂 The joys of being a child… in another time it seems. The children in my neighborhood play outside, which is wonderful, but they never venture beyond our street. Oh the exploring we did! Let’s never lose touch with our adventurous spirits, kindled during a “freer” time.

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      2. Thank you very much for the invitation, Amber. 🙏🏻Between WP, IG, life, working, and finishing a novel, I am not able to commit at this time, but I will keep it in mind. Sounds lovely. ✨

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  32. Pingback: Of course, we have to talk about eggs – Markus + Micah

  39. Your Easter as a child is most interesting! Family get-togethers in a large family can be very exciting. I love the story of playing in the caboose! We never get too old to play or stick our toes in the mud! Very well done!

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    1. We did have our interesting and entertaining moments! 😆 Trains are wonderful, moving or standing still. We sure had fun. Absolutely! Never too old to play like a child. 😊 Keeps us young! Thank you very much, Dwight.

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  40. A great and informative blog about importance of family and tradition. In India we don’t celebrate Easter, I’ve just heard few things but this blog actually gave me glimpse of what easter is actually about. Very beautiful blog, I think such blogs are much needed as it teaches younger generation about the rich tradition.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your wonderful takeaways from my Easter post. I enjoyed learning what stood out to you. I do enjoy reflecting on memories and things that once were, on occasion. Thanks for joining and appreciating! 🙏🏻

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