It was a family tradition to have a big Easter lunch at our parents and spend the afternoon with them. When possible, we would try to be in church with them as a family for Easter Service. In 1964, Easter fell on March 29 just eight days after Eva and I were married. Our church had just completed a new Sanctuary and our wedding was the first wedding held in that new building. My family were there for our wedding and the reception was at my parents’ house. Mom had put a lot of effort into making the wedding cakes and preparing the house for a large group that attended.
I would not have expected Mom to prepare a big meal for the family on Easter, because of the effort involved the previous weekend. However, the Easter tradition was important to her, and she prepared a big meal for us. Mom would make sure she cooked more than enough and favorite dishes that family members liked. There would be at least one cake and probably at least two different kinds of pies. Mom would set the table with her fine china, silverware, and cloth napkins. It was her way of remembering how far they had progressed from the early days of their married life when they had very little.
This was the first family holiday tradition that Eva had been part of with my family. Eva and I had been dating at Christmas; however, our relationship was not to the point where I had included her in family events. Eva knew Jo Ann from church and the neighborhood, and she knew that my Mom had worked at Barrick Elementary. She enjoyed sitting with my family during the church service because that was different for her. She had been a member there for years, but usually attended the services alone or with her younger sister. My family was always a caring and supportive family, but not big on hugging or outward expressing love.
When Maurice married Charlotte, that began a change in our family get togethers. Charlotte was like a butterfly, she would have everyone laughing about something, especially Dad. When Joyce married Ted, my parents knew him fairly well before they got married. They had dated for a longer period before they got married in 1960. It had only been six weeks since Eva and I had gotten engaged, and we got married only three days after we set our wedding date. Some may have assumed that we got married so quickly, thinking Eva was pregnant – not possible. Our first child would be born more than three years later.
The day went well, and it was a good chance for Eva and my family to get to know each other better. Maurice and Charlotte were not there, so the only child that was there was Joyce and Ted’s daughter, Karen. Karen got to hunt the Easter eggs without any competition. Jo Ann and Lynn were not married at that point, they would get married a few months later.
Eva told me later that she had really enjoyed the day with my family and looked forward to getting to know them better in the future.
Discover more from RICHRAY BLOG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
