The Savoring No. 026 - Happy Easter, Passover and Anything Else You're Celebrating

“But what if we all shared the same heaven,” she pondered.

John Lennon famously asked us to imagine there is no heaven. I think that’s short sighted.

We’ve always celebrated Easter though we aren’t religious. We celebrate it as we do Christmas. A time to gather with family and friends. To share, to laugh, to love.

The house is always decorated, the smell of traditional foods fill the air.

Everyone is welcome. Those who celebrate because of religion and those who celebrate for the love of celebrating love. We don’t discriminate.

My husband was born Catholic but no longer practices. I was born and raised with nothing. Christianity, or any religion with Jesus involved, isn’t for us as my older two boys were born Jewish from their father’s side. Any religion that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community is out as our youngest son was born gay.

I have nothing against any religion that does no harm to me or mine. We should all believe in whatever we feel is right for us individually. Navigating this life requires hope, comfort, belief and kindness. Both giving and receiving.

I’m not religious. I can’t quote the Bible, Torah or Qur’an. I don’t follow all of the commandments (though I have an excellent track record on two, and six through nine). I give unto others. Family, friends and strangers alike. I like to believe I’m a good human.

It’s not the book you read, the facility you attend or what happens after we leave this planet. It’s not which of the TEN THOUSAND (google it) religions someone is affiliated with.

It’s about how we treat each other. That’s what makes us good.

Apologies to all you Beatles purists, but Lennon got it wrong when he asked us to imagine there was no heaven.

He should have instead asked us to imagine there is one. Imagine it’s big enough for all of us. Imagine the price of entry is simply to love your neighbors. The ones just like you. The ones very different from you.

Imagine if no one else’s heaven could threaten your own because it’s the exact same one. I wonder if you can.

Happy Easter, Passover and whatever else you are celebrating this week.

This Quote
“You can do it like it’s a great weight on you, or you can do it like a dance.” ― Ram Dass

This Substack
I recently wrote how I enjoyed With Love, Meghan. And I do. And I also respect the points in this article. Both are true.

The 2010s were also a time that still rewarded polished perfection and the patriarchal concept that women could—should—have and do it all, and be grateful for the opportunity, exhaustion and unfair shares of domestic labor aside. Sheryl Sandberg was telling us to Lean In (while presumably employing a household staff but never discussing that) and ban.do was selling pastel planners that said “I Am Very Busy” (the CEO was later ousted for running a toxic workplace) by the truckload.

With Love, Meghan seems caught in this time period. It’s a program about proving and showing instead of telling and sharing.

Meghan Sussex and the end of aspirational perfectionism

This Easter Decor
I always decorate for the holidays. It keeps me focused on the fact that I have something fun to look forward to. Like Easter next weekend with Colt and a few of his friends. How cute is this bunny garland? Sweet and simple.

This One Too
I keep it simple because I don’t like anything to feel cluttered. I don’t often do artificial flowers in the spring because I love fresh cut, but these tulips look and feel real.

This Last One
How cute is this little bunny butt?

This Puffer Vest
We are heading to Germany, Italy and the UK in just over two weeks. The weather is going to be chilly in the mornings. I don't want to take a full coat but I need some warmth, especially when we are hiking in the Dolomites. I snagged this vest on sale.

This Creative Outlet
We do puzzles in the winter. JJ built a puzzle board so we can leave them out on the table and then remove them when we use it. It usually takes us a few weeks to get through one. It’s a quiet task that makes us put our phones down.

For some reason we never do puzzles after the holidays. I have tried to get spring and summer looking puzzles but they sit unpuzzled.

I miss that evening quiet time without electronics, so I snagged a paint by numbers for us. I’ll let you know how it goes.

These Glasses
I have hit the age where my eyes require some help in the up close range. I am a big fan of this stylish brand. My favorite frames are the Bixby and the Miklos.

This Name Change
During a recent brainstorming session, we decided to change the name of The Savoring Collective to The Crow Collective. A play on the term “old crows” combined with this being a time in our lives where our nests are emptying. Also because crows are wise and shifty AF.

Crows are seen as symbols of change, transformation, and knowledge. The are believed to deliver critical information and guidance during times of transition.

The Crow Collective is a community for women. Its a place for us to gather, share, learn and lift together. Launching June 2nd for those of you who so kindly offered to help us work out the kinks. July 7th for everyone else. More to come.

This Recipes
Hosting a gathering for Easter? These green beans with almonds are an amazing side dish for your dinner or brunch.

Do you celebrate Easter? Passover? Have a recipe you want to share? Hit comment below and share it!