Easter West

Easter. It's never really felt like a "religious" holiday to me. Maybe it's because the rituals of it had so little to do with the events that it's supposed to celebrate, at least for Christian religions (its roots are Pagan). I was raised Christian, and my mother was a strong believer but she always had problems with the Holiday. She wanted me to have a "normal" time of it and fit in with the other kids (a lost cause from the start), but when Easter came around there was always the same rant from her about what a bunch of hypocrites were down at the church and everywhere else -- all dressed in brand-new clothes and only there to show off and look snooty. She'd say "that's the only reason they go to church, just to be seen in their new clothes and turn up their noses at us." She was absolutely right of course. For Easter a girl or woman was expected to turn up in new shoes, socks, dress... and hat!! Had to have a hat. We couldn't afford new stuff, so she would make me a new dress for Easter. It was the last thing either of us really wanted. We both hated putting on the dog, rituals, and snoots, but she tried to make me fit in. I couldn't stand those damned scratchy petticoats.

I got to avoid them in the above picture. We still lived in Arizona where it was socially OK to dress up your little girl like a cowboy. That might have been the last time I wore a holster! Maybe I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to share a really cute picture of myself. Those don't get taken anymore.