I was raised in the rituals of Christianity, but i didn't believe in carrying on with this belief, especially after several tragedies hit our home. I became confused about a God who could allow such great pain to visit our beautiful family. I decided religion was not for me and that it was up to me to chart my destiny devoid of God.

From being young and carefree, to being a 'hip' adult,i treated easter as a mere holiday, a break from work, when friends and families took off for their favorite getaways. Then when we started having children, it was all about bunnies and egg hunts, and nothing to do with any religious observance. And it helped to be ignorant about the spiritual value and implication of 'a man hanging on the cross', i personally never felt guilt about not going to church, nor saying prayers.

But, as destiny would have it, things would change. I may have been disinterested in God, but it became obvious, that feeling was never mutual. In 1980, i experienced a spiritual awakening of 'meeting' a God who i found, loved me, more than i cared to love. And this truth would grip me more than ever, as my life went into Topsy turvy, a roller coaster of challenges i had no control. I went from crisis to crisis, grappling for answers, where there seemed none. At this crossroad, two precious people would take me to the most incredible Easter enlightenment, a discovery of who Jesus Christ really was. I would never be the same again. My lollipop days would become a thing of the past, and my shallow existence, a journey into wisdom and depth.

My Easter adventure has been too amazing. In the 25 years that i have been a believer, my faith in God has grown deeper. There is not a day that i do not see His hand working in my life and those i love. What's wonderful is, i have not become a 'more religious' person, observing rituals and traditions. Rather, i have a renewed spirituality, a relationship with God, who loved us so much, He sent His Son to live amongst men, to give His life, die on the cross, and be resurrected, so we may be saved. This may be puzzling, and 'unreal' for others, just how Jesus can impact millions, such as mine. I still enjoy Easter bunnies, eggs and what nots, but i enjoy it more now, every year, because my life has been filled with many Easter miracles, some may not believe.

My dad passed away Easter at age 83. Two years later, my mom, age 84 would pass on too, on Easter. Both were sad events, but we found comfort that they were safe home, face to face with the Author of Easter. When i was reunited with my old sweetheart of 30 years, we decided to marry on Easter, to symbolize the ressurection of our love and to dedicate our union to God and my parents. It was the most beautiful and unforgettable moment in our lives. Two rainbows appeared that day, like a gift of double portion of happiness from the One who had brought us back together. And it doesn't end there, because my husband who had struggled with Christianity for a long as he can remember decided he wanted to complete his vow, not just to me but to God, by being baptized on Easter morning, a year after our wedding.

On a final note, i will never forget the day my daughter sung in our first Easter Musical here in the Islands. She had been backslidden from God for many years, and i thought i would never see her back in church, nor sing again. But, she came back, and there i was, with tears rolling down my eyes, watching her sing beautifully. What an Easter we had!

Still, there are many lessons and blessings that continue to come our way, about Easter. There are daily lessons in love, forgiveness, revival, second chances (4th and 5th, and it could be endless) and hope, that merit our attention. While we celebrate it with verve and gusto, year after year, truly, this is gift that carries so much privilege for much rejoicing..