Chilly and grey can describe the weather on Easter Sunday…1963. Billy B. awakened to the sound of Neva J. calling for him to, ‘Hit the deck you rubberneck!’ As he threw his feet over the side of his trundle bed she announced that it was the Great Easter Basket Hunt! He soon found the Basket behind their sectional couch. The couch was covered in plastic and sealed up by zippers so that every time Billy B. sat on it…it crackled and…

crinkled and it was hot to sit or lay upon in the summer. Neva J. reminded him that they were all going to Grandma Askew’s for Easter Dinner and that he should call Chet to remind him of the time to be ready. Chet did not tell Neva J. that Peter Rabbit was behind the couch and had winked at him when he found the Easter Basket.

Grandma A. had prepared, with the assistance of Neva J.s sister, Guelda, a wonderful ham and mashed sweet potatoes and spicy green bean casserole and broccoli salad with sweet cornbread…that Neva J. had brought with her for the feast. PR was between Billy B. and Chet…in the back seat on the way to Grandma A.s…and it was apparent to them that not everyone could see him…somewhat like the rabbit in the Jimmy Stewart movie Harvey. PR was once again dressed in his smart light blue jacket and was carrying a brilliant orange… giant carrot. As Neva J. drove their 1957 Chevy Belaire Convertable down Grandma’s Brick Street…Chet was busy having a lively discussion with PR about the meaning of Easter.

After Easter Dinner it was Grandma’s tradition to read the Easter story from her old and worn Bible: ‘In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there ye shall see him: lo, I have told you.’

Peter thoroughly enjoyed the broccoli salad and asked for a second helping. Grandma could both see him and hear him…but then again she did have extraordinary insight. PR whispered to Billy B. and Chet and Grandma A….’Now that Jesus is risen from the dead…What would he have us do?’