First and foremost let me say "Happy Easter" to everyone!
"I WANT ALL FOUR DRESSES!". The most memorable Easter season for me was when I was a child. We had gone out shopping for Easter clothes. It was this one Easter shopping spree when I pushed the envelope as far as I could push it. I was head strong and had to have my way. It took me years to realize the true meaning of Easter and during that time I wasn't living it. We had already exhausted almost everywhere else in town to look for dresses. My Mother was determined she wasn't going to pay the high prices at my favorite dress place for me a dress and well I had something completely different in mind. I held out because I knew there was no where else she would want to get my brother's suit than the place that tailored it the best. We ended up at my favorite children's store in Ghent over on Colley Avenue called Dollie and Bobbies (sp). They had a side for the boys and a side for the girls separated by a wall partition. During this particular shopping spree there were four dresses I fell in love with. I loved their dresses because they would measure and hem them so they were a perfect for a tomboy like me as I was deemed. If I could have gotten a $1 for every time I heard "Lynne you don't do that in a dress" I could have done my own shopping. My dresses were always hemmed to a length were I could comfortably climb a tree, ride a bike, and play and have awesome fun all in a dress. I didn't see myself as being a tomboy but just having fun.
During our shopping spree we were riding around in my Mom's red Cadillac which had a white convertible top with white wall tires that my father had paid cash money for as a gift to her. My parents were divorced. My Daddy loved my mother and there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. My mother wore fur coats, leather shoes, had leather pocket books and shoes to match the color of her leather coats. She had this big cluster diamond ring which cost her about $5K on her ring finger. When my Father was on leave visiting Norfolk or stationed in Norfolk we went to the amusement park most nights and rode rides and spent all we want on games and food and drinks at the amusement park. I said all that to say money being an issue didn't cross my mind. Not to mention my mother had a baby daddy who was a very successful business man and he spent a lot of money on us too.
When we went up front my Mother asked which one did I want so I could put it on for them to measure and hem it. I said I want all four. She said Lynne you are being ridiculous you can only wear one dress. My reply was "I'm going to tell my Daddy." Those were the only words I had to say to get my way. Then we would go to Hofheimer's on Granby Street for shoes and then on to Rice Nachman's also on Granby Street for the other accessories like gloves, purses, hat, slips, and jewelry. I remember getting the loveliest white and yellow heart shaped earrings, necklace, and bracelet to go with the dress and matching spring coat duo which actually was my favorite of the dresses and the one I wore on Easter Sunday.
Now I understand why she began having our clothes custom made by a seamstress. They were really nice and she eliminated the need to deal with me.
When she returned us to my Grandma's house I recall their conversation was about me. My Grandma told me you're going to make it so people can't stand you. You can't always have your way. They would rant and rave and once I had heard enough being the brat I was I would just say "I want to go live with my Daddy." Oh and then it was on like hot buttered popcorn. Those words blew up their temperament just like popping popcorn kernels.
Thankfully on the Saturday before Easter we were able to get our hairdo without wait time because we had a standing appointment. My mother was a beautiful woman and she knew everyone in every place personally like all the stores, shops, and other places to keep herself looking good.
As a child I realized Easter was a big celebration. It was one of the best shopping sprees of the year. New everything (materially) from head to toe every Easter. A food spread after Church on Easter Sunday with Ham, Cabbage, Candied Yams, Homemade Potato Salad, Oven-Baked Stuffing, Homemade Rolls, Baked Tomatoes, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Three Layer Chocolate Cake, Sweet Potato Pies, Homemade Sweet Tea, Freezer full of Ice Cream, and yes last but not least Grandma's Fried Chicken, and Grandma's homemade specialty "Chicken and Dumplings made with a meat from a hen." I probably watched my Grandmother prepare food moreover than anyone else and would often ask me to do the preparation like cut up the potatoes for the potato salad, help clean collard greens, prepare the green beans for cooking by breaking off the ends, chopping onions, cleaning crabs for frying, but never cook and whip up a whole meal. She would always say I couldn't even boil water and I cook too fast. When I would ask to cook she would say "just get your lesson." Meaning to learn all I could and focus on getting an education.
And on top of that a surprise Easter Basket full of goodies. Easter Egg hunts at the Norfolk Zoo on Easter Monday. My goodness those were the days, Church, food, family, and fun.
I remember going to Church every Easter until the 1st year I went away to college. I had to have the most expensive shoes because I was a spoiled brat for a good portion of my childhood. When my grandchildren were told they were going to be taken to Burlington's by my mom to shop for Easter they replied they were going to wear the dresses they already had from their sixth grade promotion ceremony. I was floored. Do we have the same blood running through our veins or are they just so unlucky as to not to have a Daddy like mine? I am humbled by their response. Karma is something else. It sometimes takes going through some things to see gratitude wins out over attitude any day.
Thankfully, over the years I have come to realize and embrace the true meaning of Easter. Three days after his crucifixion Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. One Bible verse which delivers a powerful message in this regards is Romans 8:11 which states "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (NKJV)
"I WANT ALL FOUR DRESSES!". The most memorable Easter season for me was when I was a child. We had gone out shopping for Easter clothes. It was this one Easter shopping spree when I pushed the envelope as far as I could push it. I was head strong and had to have my way. It took me years to realize the true meaning of Easter and during that time I wasn't living it. We had already exhausted almost everywhere else in town to look for dresses. My Mother was determined she wasn't going to pay the high prices at my favorite dress place for me a dress and well I had something completely different in mind. I held out because I knew there was no where else she would want to get my brother's suit than the place that tailored it the best. We ended up at my favorite children's store in Ghent over on Colley Avenue called Dollie and Bobbies (sp). They had a side for the boys and a side for the girls separated by a wall partition. During this particular shopping spree there were four dresses I fell in love with. I loved their dresses because they would measure and hem them so they were a perfect for a tomboy like me as I was deemed. If I could have gotten a $1 for every time I heard "Lynne you don't do that in a dress" I could have done my own shopping. My dresses were always hemmed to a length were I could comfortably climb a tree, ride a bike, and play and have awesome fun all in a dress. I didn't see myself as being a tomboy but just having fun.
During our shopping spree we were riding around in my Mom's red Cadillac which had a white convertible top with white wall tires that my father had paid cash money for as a gift to her. My parents were divorced. My Daddy loved my mother and there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. My mother wore fur coats, leather shoes, had leather pocket books and shoes to match the color of her leather coats. She had this big cluster diamond ring which cost her about $5K on her ring finger. When my Father was on leave visiting Norfolk or stationed in Norfolk we went to the amusement park most nights and rode rides and spent all we want on games and food and drinks at the amusement park. I said all that to say money being an issue didn't cross my mind. Not to mention my mother had a baby daddy who was a very successful business man and he spent a lot of money on us too.
When we went up front my Mother asked which one did I want so I could put it on for them to measure and hem it. I said I want all four. She said Lynne you are being ridiculous you can only wear one dress. My reply was "I'm going to tell my Daddy." Those were the only words I had to say to get my way. Then we would go to Hofheimer's on Granby Street for shoes and then on to Rice Nachman's also on Granby Street for the other accessories like gloves, purses, hat, slips, and jewelry. I remember getting the loveliest white and yellow heart shaped earrings, necklace, and bracelet to go with the dress and matching spring coat duo which actually was my favorite of the dresses and the one I wore on Easter Sunday.
Now I understand why she began having our clothes custom made by a seamstress. They were really nice and she eliminated the need to deal with me.
When she returned us to my Grandma's house I recall their conversation was about me. My Grandma told me you're going to make it so people can't stand you. You can't always have your way. They would rant and rave and once I had heard enough being the brat I was I would just say "I want to go live with my Daddy." Oh and then it was on like hot buttered popcorn. Those words blew up their temperament just like popping popcorn kernels.
Thankfully on the Saturday before Easter we were able to get our hairdo without wait time because we had a standing appointment. My mother was a beautiful woman and she knew everyone in every place personally like all the stores, shops, and other places to keep herself looking good.
As a child I realized Easter was a big celebration. It was one of the best shopping sprees of the year. New everything (materially) from head to toe every Easter. A food spread after Church on Easter Sunday with Ham, Cabbage, Candied Yams, Homemade Potato Salad, Oven-Baked Stuffing, Homemade Rolls, Baked Tomatoes, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Three Layer Chocolate Cake, Sweet Potato Pies, Homemade Sweet Tea, Freezer full of Ice Cream, and yes last but not least Grandma's Fried Chicken, and Grandma's homemade specialty "Chicken and Dumplings made with a meat from a hen." I probably watched my Grandmother prepare food moreover than anyone else and would often ask me to do the preparation like cut up the potatoes for the potato salad, help clean collard greens, prepare the green beans for cooking by breaking off the ends, chopping onions, cleaning crabs for frying, but never cook and whip up a whole meal. She would always say I couldn't even boil water and I cook too fast. When I would ask to cook she would say "just get your lesson." Meaning to learn all I could and focus on getting an education.
And on top of that a surprise Easter Basket full of goodies. Easter Egg hunts at the Norfolk Zoo on Easter Monday. My goodness those were the days, Church, food, family, and fun.
I remember going to Church every Easter until the 1st year I went away to college. I had to have the most expensive shoes because I was a spoiled brat for a good portion of my childhood. When my grandchildren were told they were going to be taken to Burlington's by my mom to shop for Easter they replied they were going to wear the dresses they already had from their sixth grade promotion ceremony. I was floored. Do we have the same blood running through our veins or are they just so unlucky as to not to have a Daddy like mine? I am humbled by their response. Karma is something else. It sometimes takes going through some things to see gratitude wins out over attitude any day.
I've seen that inner strength surface when I have been in some very dark places. I have seen it surface and haven't realized it until the storm was over. I believe the strength of the "Spirit of Him " is in me and it can keep rearing its beautiful head over and over again. Because He had the strength to rise so I could live and be forgiven Amen!
My Daddy is deceased now. But My Heavenly Father his child has been resurrected for anyone who believes in him will have everlasting life. When times get rough, when times get good, I'm going to tell the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I am Going to Tell You. There is power in the words I send up and your mercy is my grace. Thank you Jesus for tapping into the Spirit in You and being resurrected from the dead.
Let the Church say Amen!
