Easter

April 1, 2024

Dear Leland and Everett,

Yesterday was Easter. We had a wonderful day together. The two of you woke up early to find Easter baskets ready for you. Your mom organized and Easter egg treasure hunt, the treasure being she gifted you each some Legos. You worked on your Legos until it was time to go to church. You and your mom joined me for Sunday worship service for the first time. After church, we feasted on dim sum, perhaps our favorite brunch meal (and one we haven’t had in awhile thanks to my dietary restriction, which I loosened for the special occasion). Back at home, you guys enjoyed some boba, finished your Legos, played outside, and watched some basketball. It was just a wonderful day all the way around, but there were a few highlights I wanted to highlight and savor.

I always enjoy watching your mom fuss over you two, and I enjoyed watching her pick out the items for and prep your Easter baskets. As is usually the case, you both really, really enjoyed what she got (and did) for you.

You wore the new (collared) shirts your Gran got you for Easter. You both (and Leland especially) resist dressing up, so it was great to see you in nicer clothes. You both just looked great.

You approached the worship service with openness and curiosity. Worship services are never going to be a kid’s favorite activity (too much talking!), but you both behaved wonderfully. I really appreciated your behavior, and how it enabled Mom and Dad to take in what turned out to be a wonderful worship service.

At lunch Leland asked, “Dad, why do you believe in God?”. I responded, “Well, I find that God talks to me in my meditations”. I proceeded to explain the visions I get in my meditations, how those visions are interactive (I’m a participant, but some apparently separate entity appears to participate as well), and how some of those visions have been predictive. Leland you responded by saying “I don’t think God is real”, which didn’t totally surprise me. You are a very logical, linear thinker, so it makes sense to me that you see no obvious need for God. And so I simply responded by saying that 1) we can’t prove God is real; 2) everyone has to decide for themselves; but that 3) in my experience, when we talk to God, God talks back. This was easily my favorite part of the day, I was so grateful you asked such a sincere and thoughtful and important question, and then listened patiently and earnestly to my response. I’ll be curious to see how (or if) you remember that conversation in adulthood.

[This morning on the way to school Leland even followed up on the conversation, asking me about the predictive nature of my meditations. I explained that they mostly predict things that eventually happen to me. You remembered me saying that I don’t always understand what my visions mean, and asked how long it takes me to understand. I responded that it’s usually within a few days, but can often take weeks and sometimes takes months. I am still learning from my earliest visions, which are now approaching two-and-a-half years old. Again, I had great fun with this discussion, and was thrilled you took such an interest.]

After lunch what struck me most was how agreeably you played together. You didn’t fight all afternoon, and rarely sought adult interaction. At one point I noticed Leland’s energy level rising (you were getting loud) and so I asked if you wanted to go outside and play. When I came out to join you, Leland said “You can go back inside, Dad. We found a game to play”. This NEVER happens; you guys always want me to come out and join you. This time I just went back inside to read a book until, about half an hour later, you came back and said cheerfully “Okay Dad, we’re ready for you”.

Few days go by as ease-fully as yesterday did. For me, some of this was undoubtedly the relief of Easter and what it marks in terms of the end of Jesus’ suffering and replacing the grieving of his death with the promise of resurrection. I’ll forever be grateful that your mom helped me honor the occasion with significance and intention. And I’ll forever remember how the two of you helped me appreciate how much joy you bring me, and how much I enjoy seeing the two of you enjoying yourselves.

Happy Easter. I love you.

Χριστός ἀνέστη!

Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

Love,

Dad