The last few weeks have brought back some poignant memories. Flowers and tree trunks painted white. Amaryllis and paper whites growing in lush parks...spring green held in by meandering cement walkways. Piatas full of spring berries and flowers...and then the tears come. Involuntarily. Regardless, they come. Tears for things and people that I miss...tears for things and people I love...tears for a time...a beautiful, harsh, glorious time...I can remember the sound of my shoes on the streets. I can remember dogs and cars and gypsies...the smell of bread...the smell of dirt and sweat. Companions. Neighbors. Investigators. Members. How they laughed when things were new. How they cried for things that had happened to them...the Opera plaza full of cards and trinkets for zuia fameilor...How I found my son's name one early morning during individual study in my little bed in Timisoara...How I discovered so much in a place so far away...and how far it seems to me right now.
There's no Easter Bunny in Romania. Eggs are dyed red or with symbols of spring in observance of new life. The daily greetings change from the regular "good day" to "Christ was Resurrected." And the one receiving the greeting replies with, "True, He Lives Again." Their Easter celebration is about light. Climbing up to a high tower in Timisoara, the view from the window brought an almost endless sea in the Opera plaza of the town citizens all with illuminated candles. The light of Christ they symbolically carried. Beautiful.
I am grateful for a time every year to consider what this light means to me. To hold a love for traditions I grew up with as a child, but to include these newly acquired perspectives to my observances makes it deeper for me now. I can make my own efforts daily to nourish my light and encourage it in others, regardless of their own beliefs. Light is light. We each have it...and it's difficult for any man, with all of the things we go through, to keep it burning brightly.
I come away with two things today...love and gratitude. That will do it. Small steps. These two elements make all the difference to me...and serve as a powerful motivator in considering how I want to develop in every aspect. But to succeed, both elements must be shared to increase...so I offer what I have...my love to you...my gratitude for all you've been and done for me.
Hristos a inviat.
Adevarat, a inviat.
Happy Easter, friends.
xo,
j.
3 comments:
Wish I was eloquent as you. I'm so grateful for my peaceful, wonderful romanian memories that combat so fully with my current sour ones (inlaws, not spouse). Thanks for reminding me right when I needed it how much I truly do love it.
Beautiful. I love that their greetings change. What an amazing way to remember what He did for us. I really enjoyed teaching the meaning for this holiday to my children this year.
That was so beautiful, i wish i could express as beautiful as you. I am very simple minded I guess. I love reading you beautiful blog. You remind me how important even the simple thing are. I felt like I was walking in Romania with you. Thank you. I love you. Thank you for being you.
Janna
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