Colored Eggs for Easter
Judy Conlin
For over thirty years, I went through the ritual (and mess) of coloring eggs to help the Easter Bunny out on Easter. When the children were little, it was an exciting happy event. By the time a dozen eggs were hard-boiled, a water bath made for each colored dye, the little dippers laid out and the children covered in oversized aprons, I was already exhausted, but that was just the beginning of this holiday tradition. Great experimentation in color designs began, which often ended in tears as they’d try to outdo each other. There was a wax pencil to write names on them before dipping, which led to mass confusion on Easter morning. Between malfunction of the pencil and misspelling by the children, no one knew what egg went to who. I have no idea how many times the cups of dye were tipped over, the children, table, and floor mopped up and the cups refilled but it was enough to make me cranky. Nevertheless, I would do it all over again if I could get those children back.
Once the children grew up, I continued the process. After all they still came home for Easter. I would like to say that with me in control of the entire process, it went perfectly. It never did , but it was greatly improved. I am not good at projects and a bit messy myself. The worst part that while there was still chaos, there were no happy cries from excited children. I also found that no one cared that the names were now neat and legibly written. They just grabbed any old egg and ate it.
For years I valiantly carried on the tradition even when no one came home for Easter, but I was getting darned sick of it. Then one day, while shopping , I saw a miracle lurking in the egg department. There were cartons of eggs already hard-boiled and perfectly colored sitting there just waiting for me. This was the easiest Easter ever. I bought several cartons and after Easter was over, I still had enough for deviled eggs or egg salad. It was delightful.
This went on for years and I began making Easter baskets for family and friends. I loved all the praise and good wishes I got for something I just put in a basket and passed out.
Then one day a bad thing happened. The source that produced my colored eggs decided to move its location. During the building of the new store, there was a season when they were not open, so I had no eggs that year. I thought of the mess of coloring them myself and decided I certainly could wait until they reopened in their new location.
I was there for the grand opening. It was beautiful new establishment. I couldn’t wait until Easter to get those beautiful eggs once again. Finally, the season arrived and another bad thing happened. I went there every day looking for the eggs. No colored eggs. I contacted management. They looked at me like they had never heard of such a thing. I persisted bothering them right up until Easter. They said they would look into it and until this day I have not heard a word about it.
Once again, I decided I could wait rather than begin that hateful coloring process again. Besides, I had been helping the Easter bunny all these years. It was time he began taking back responsibility himself.
I’ve waited to hear from the store. I’ve heard nothing. I’ve waited to hear from the Easter Bunny. I’ve heard nothing. I have been waiting for many years, but I haven’t given up hope. I have seen the expectant faces of family and friends each Easter, but I have remained determined not to give in. The only thing I can tell you is that you shouldn’t expect any colored eggs at my house until one of these suppliers comes through.
More later,
Judy www.nursejudyinfo.com
