I have heard a tale of a family where The Mother disliked non-religious symbols as stand-ins for The Real Meaning of holidays -- holy days, for her.
No Santa Claus at Christmas or peeping chicks at Easter. They simply would not do.
One Easter in what would have been perhaps the twelfth year of the tale relater's youth, the extended family sat down for a traditional Easter dinner at The Mother's well-appointed table. Cousins galore awaited in anticipation for ham or turkey.
With a flourish, The Mother appeared at the head of the table with the afternoon's main course.
The Father, looking perplexed, asked: "Chicken? Chicken for Easter?"
She responded: "Father, it is not chicken. It's rabbit."
The word had barely floated to the table before young cousinly eyes went wide in horror. The dismembered body of The Easter Bunny was about to be placed on their plates.
There is a rumor that The Mother also served venison roast at Christmas. And certainly, the presence of a maraschino cherry on top to represent a reindeer nose cannot be true.
One can only imagine what became of such children.
I hope that you each have a blessed Easter.
