Saturday, April 11, 2009

Exchanging Eggs



A charming legend tells how the Saxon goddess Eostre found a wounded bird and transformed it into a hare, so that it could survive the winter. The hare found that it could lay eggs, so it decorated these each Spring and left them as an offering to the goddess.
Among other traditions, Iranians give gifts of eggs dyed red to mark the new year's first day. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans also celebrated Spring with colored eggs. Traditionally eggs were dyed red to symblize Christ's blood, and red is also associated with fertility and rebirth. The Russian tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II gave their wives exquisite enamelled Faberge eggs at Easter- a custom which became fashionable among aristocrats and royalty in early modern Europe.


My Grandmas
Eggs




Today I got out the painted glass eggs that belonged to my grandmother. I remember these eggs sat regally in an antique egg tray in grandma's beautiful dining room. Memories return of going to grandma's house on holidays such as Easter; the air filled with the aroma of grandma's wonderful cooking/baking. I recall all the relatives gathered around the large, finely decorated table. This wonderful, secure feeling of family connection is one I hope to pass on to my daughter.

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