What Matters to You – Easter, Families and Chocolate

A Christian of Faith

Being a Christian, two times of the year are of great significance: Christmas and Easter. Depending on your denomination or personal feelings, one can have greater importance than the other. A savior is born, or the savior dies for our sins and rises again. Either way, these miracles have significant meaning to those of the Christian faith and make us reflect on who we are and what kind of person we want to be.

Teachings and Togetherness

Personally, I see both as equally important. It’s not based purely on religious teachings but on the celebration around the holidays, the part where we tend to slow down and spend time with family. Any event where folks take time off work to be together, have a meal, visit, and reflect on how we can be better people is a good thing in my mind. Although not religious in its roots, I challenge anyone not to be struck with pure joy when watching the sheer delight on children’s faces when they find eggs or chocolates hidden by a big bunny.

Turkeys

We raise our turkeys, so it was always a huge point of pride when we had family over that they enjoyed how much better a “Farm Turkey” tasted than what they were used to purchasing at the grocery store. We also have our own garden, and with that same satisfaction, we use our products from the farm as much as possible. My wife has also taught our girls how to cook, and before the Easter meal, they make cabbage rolls, perogies, and desserts. I get to hear their laughter and conversations while they work, and I jump in once and a while as they poke fun at my too-big cabbage rolls or messed-up perogies.

And Kids

I know the kids are growing up far too fast, a little cliché, but it is hard to believe how quickly time has passed. I remember my son asking me about the Easter Bunny – if it was real or not. He was trying to work out the logistics of it all, and I asked him if he really wanted my answer or to work it out on his own. Invariably it came back to faith and discussing the real meaning of Easter. He decided he could believe in the big bunny for one more year and in the hunt. He told me he wouldn’t ruin it for his sisters because it was up to them to believe what they wanted, and sometimes it was better to have some magic to look forward to.

My Easter Wish for You

This is my wish for you and your family this Easter: carve out some time for that magic. Spend time with your family, talk about the good things together, and have a few lighthearted laughs. Take the time to see how a little person’s face lights up after finding a hidden treasure and know that someone else cared for you in the same way- they would give all they had so that you could be safe and enjoy your life. If you need, get a few brightly colored eggs and a couple of chunks of chocolate to get that magic back for a day. It’s a calorie-free day…one of those Easter miracles, apparently.

Taking “What Matters to You” on the Road

I’ll be out and about over the coming weeks, and thanks to several of your suggestions and the business owners, we will have some coffee-shop-talk and a “What Matters to You” roadshow, as it were. As I wrap up my first term as the MLA, I want to ensure I have all the loose ends tied up. Heading into the spring election, I want all your input to carry forward to ensure we hit the mark for what is needed in our area. So far, the main concerns I keep hearing are Affordability, Jobs / Economy, Healthcare Reform, and Standing up for Alberta. There are several detailed deliverables under each of those main items, and that’s where the conversations come in.
I look forward to seeing you and reading your letters. Please let me know what matters to you!

Happy Easter to you and yours!

Sincerely,

Shane Getson