Shortly after the Good Friday service, my son inquired whether Easter morning might involve an egg hunt. He asked in a nonchalant manner one would expect from an 11-year-old boy who desperately wants to hunt for eggs, but does not want to color them anymore or admit he still wants to hunt for eggs.
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Fast forward to Easter morning. My son emerges from his bedroom, blanket wrapped around him. He proclaims “Happy Easter” to me and his stepmom.
We let the tension build for several minutes.
Finally, my wife said one of the puppies had found something interesting in the back yard. You could notice my son looking out the windows and sliding glass door for some clue. But, the small basket was invisible from his vantage point. We suggested he go outside….
The little plastic Easter basket evoked a smile and we told him we re-hid one of the eggs (plastic) the puppy found. He began the hunt, and drawing from several years of experience, had no trouble finding one dozen eggs.
He promptly opened them to find some coins, bills, and a coupon for him and a buddy to go to a local putt putt/amusement park he has been asking to go to. Not a bad Easter.
Then the balloon popped.
Turns out the Easter egg hunt does not hold the same excitement it once did. He had to admit it to us.
My wife then made a brilliant observation he seemed to appreciate and resulted in him perking up a bit. She acknowledged as we get older, some of the things which amazed us as kids lose some of the wonder and mystery. We figure out parents are Santa and the Easter Bunny. The mystery of these amazing characters is replaced by the mystery about whether we will still get candy and gifts once we quit believing in them.
Then she offered some hope.
She told him as adults, we get to relive the wonder of being a kid when we become Santa and the Easter Bunny for our own kids, nieces and nephews, and later for our grandkids. We get to be kids again, year after year.
My son may have just realized we enjoy these holidays just as much as he once did. Maybe it will keep the wonder alive for another egg hunt or two.
I am already trying to come up with new hiding places for next year.
What is your favorite part about being a dad during holidays?