Ramos Tribe Adventures: Easter 2018

"Tradition".. "Tradition" .... I feel like i must sing the song from Fiddler on the Roof when I talk about tradition.

Normally Easter at my family's would be full of tradition. We would go to church together with family and then we would head to my Meema's house for lunch. She would have a huge spread, enough to feed an army. Ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, deviled eggs(that my cousins and I would count, double count to make sure everyone got 2, any extras would be swallowed... instantly) there would be coconut cream pie and of course Jello salad.... My favorite jello salad. The jello salad that I asked her to make as my wedding cake (she didn't think that was a good idea so we had normal cake) The jello salad that cousins, uncles and aunts and I all would fight over, some, and I won't mention names would attempt to even hide it!....But that was till I moved to Alaska. When I would come to Texas for visits, I would call Meema and ask her to make Jello salad.... Being her favorite (shhhh don't tell anyone) she would secretly make a bowl of jello salad just for me. After lunch and everyone left, she would say " Your jello is hiding in the back of the fridge" Yes! Score! My Meema was the best! After lunch we would have a Easter egg hunt. I always remember these as being scorching hot egg hunts. If we used raw eggs, they may cook before being found, Hot... But hey that's South Texas for you! What would Easter be like with no burning, steaming, sweaty, fun right? Tradition! That's what we would have done.

This year there was no tradition. Many times, I feel a pain in my heart because there isn't. Mostly because I feel like my boys miss it. But they don't know any of those traditions. I just don't like people to feel lonely. Kind of like at Christmas, when I drive by homes where I don't see tree lights in the window or no wreath on the door. It saddens me a bit. Holidays are hard when you live far far from family. I should be used to it, I've done it my whole life. But it never gets easier! EVER! So like most years, we make a wonderful holiday great anyways! When a holiday comes around, Keith and I tend to listen for other people that have no family to share with, no traditions to keep, and invite them to join us.

So this year may not have been traditional by any standard. It wasn't warm with summer dresses and bonnets. It was chilly! We wore coats and isolated socks inside my shoes. But the sun came out and was shining off the ice and snow with great brilliance. There was lots of food, fun and fellowship with dear friends, who also missed their family. We had BBQ Pulled Pork, hot rolls, broccoli casserole, deviled eggs and Jello salad(Some traditions must remain because they are so tasty). There was banana pudding and I made a new recipe for Maple Cream Pie for dessert. My boys didn't get a real egg hunt but all the kids made their own scavenger hunt and it was quite good and comical with all their clues. We learned a new game that was extremely addictive, except part of it was a version of poker, and I am the worst Poker face person ever.... I just smile and grin. maybe I need sunglasses like the pros.

We did miss seeing our families but I am glad we could enjoy time with close friends and relax together. Our Easter was BLESSED!!! Tradition or not, we got to celebrate Jesus defeating death. Death lost the battle, lost the sting and Jesus arose! Hallelujah! I hope your Easter was blessed as well! Here are our family pictures of Easter 2018.