celebrating Easter....again

One of the bestest things about living away from family is news.  News in the form of emails, skypes and mail.  With time zone differences it can get a little hairy for a mommy who wants her babes in bed at a good time but it is always worth hearing a Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie's, Uncle's, Nephew's or Niece's voice.  One particularly difficult relative to reach, makes us smile just with her cell phone answering service.

Emails keep us updated and abreast of life a world away.  What a gift technology has brought to living overseas.

And lastly mail.  It still remains a celebration in faith when a package finally arrives.  When I was a young girl overseas we received a package full of clothes for my little sister's birthday.  The package arrived on time for her special day.  It was about a week after the actual date.  When we opened it and saw the clothes we realized it was a YEAR and one week late.  Where had it been?  Who had finally decided to release it to our family?
How about the friend who received a package with a shoe missing.  Just one.  Perhaps the one legged postman had stolen the glitzy flip flop?  The stories of mail mishaps pepper overseas conversations as everyone has a story of their own.

Well we received a fabulous Easter package from Poppa Bill and Grandma Colleen and though it was a month late that posed no concern to this happy family.  The resurrection of Jesus can and should be celebrated daily.  The new clothes were lovely for the kids but there was a problem.  Remember Mr. Tiny Mouse in our house.  Well Mr. Tiny Mouse has many relatives and when the heat comes they move indoors to co-habitate with their unwelcoming human buddies.

This is the case in the post office, rodent re-habitation occurs.  Except perhaps it is Mr. Ratz instead of Mr. Tiny who lives at the Post Office.  Well Mr. Ratz must have smelt the tootsie rolls and felt they were a red carpet invitation for a quick Chew and Grab.  Rodent thievery.  Along with the intended crime came some careless carnage of Zana's new Easter dress.  We are still waiting to see if it is repairable.

For now we are thankful for the reminder to celebrate Christ.  We are thankful for the generosity of family.  We are thankful for mail and news and connections to loved ones far away.

I guess it is just boxes for this season that work!

Oh well.