For the second year in a row, Easter will look a lot different than it usually does. Despite the changes COVID-19 has brought on, I hold on to hope that next year my family will be able to carry out all the traditions we usually do.
My family has always made a big deal out of Easter. For us, celebrating Easter is just as big as celebrating Christmas. There are a few traditions we have just in our immediate family, and we also have extended family traditions that have been around since before I was born.
Every year on Easter Sunday, my family goes to church for a celebratory breakfast and an early morning service. When we get back, we have an easter egg hunt with hard boiled eggs that we decorate ourselves. After that, we open our Easter baskets, eat more chocolate than we probably should, and spend the rest of the day just hanging out together.
The extended family Easter traditions have been around since my before my parents were even born. My grandfather, his sister, and both of their spouses began celebrating Easter together when they first got married. What started as just a four-person dinner has now evolved into an almost 40-person family gathering. I am one of thirteen grandchildren, and I have thirteen second cousins and almost 20 aunts and uncles combined. Every year, both families gather together for one big Easter dinner. It’s a huge group, but there’s always so much love and food to go around. It’s one of my favorite days of the year.
Of course Easter will look a little different this year, but my family is excited to celebrate Christ’s resurrection nonetheless. We can’t wait to bring back all the traditions next year!
Hannah Bonanducci 
Shane Witzer