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Neely-Dorsey: Childhood Easter Memories in the South
I have very fond memories of childhood Easter celebrations.
Our family always made a big deal about Easter. Growing up, Easter time was almost like Christmas. I think that the family celebration was just as big.
We knew that we would be going to Granny’s house in West Point. (Of course, It was both of my grandparents’ house…but we would always say Granny’s house.) We knew that we would be seeing all of our cousins. The house was always buzzing with grandchildren of all ages.
We knew that we would have a huge Easter meal which always included fried chicken and mashed potatoes…and of course, sweet tea.
After lunch, there would be the BIG Easter egg hunt all around my Granny’s house. There were SO many places to hide those eggs! I think that the adults had as much fun hiding the eggs and watching us as we had hunting them.
Many times, we would spend the whole weekend at at Granny’s house. So, the Easter bunny got to visit us there.
We would be so excited about going to bed just like at Christmas, because in the morning we would have lots of goodies laid out all over the floor in the living room. We always got huge baskets stuffed with all kinds of things. We of course got candy, but there were toys and, of course, the customary book. Our family believed in giving books to children on every special occasion.
Attending church at “Granny’s church” was a MUST, which meant getting dressed in our Easter finery. There was much activity in the house on Sunday morning getting ourselves all together with ribbons and bows, hats and bonnets.
Our Easter celebration was an all day affair with LOTS of eating , joking laughing, and storytelling. At the end of the day we were all tuckered out, STUFFED and headed back to Tupelo.
Patricia Neely-Dorsey is the author of two books of poetry, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems and My Magnolia Memories and Musings-In Poems. Through her poems, the author hopes to protect, preserve and promote the rich cultural history and heritage of her state and region along with providing more positive images than all of the negative images usually portrayed. Patricia lives in Tupelo with her husband James, son Henry and Miniature Schnauzer, Happy. The author has been named a Goodwill Ambassador for the state by Governor Phil Bryant. Her slogan is “Always, Always Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi ” Her website is patricianeelydorsey.com and her email is magnoliagirl21@yahoo.com.
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Bettye
March 20, 2016 at 4:22 pm
I always looked forward to my new Easter dress, could hardly wait untill Church time. So many happy memories…. Each year my mother baked a cake and put a green coconut nest on top. Easter morning the nest would have a big chocolate rabbit sitting in it surrounded with jelly beans. Peter Cottontail filled it while filling out baskets.