I Have Risen...My Easter Experience

I didn't do it in the same manner the 'Big JC' supposedly did, but my spirits were sure lifted; especially the way my Easter started out...and it had nothing to do with religion; just my best friend.

For the past several weeks, I've been stocking up on items to put in Scott's Easter basket.  I scoured sales to get as much as I could for as little money as possible.  I didn't want to use up an entire week's worth of grocery money in one shot; so a little at a time worked very well.  I ended up getting about 25 pounds of goodies to give.  I find it's worth giving up a little food and going hungry occasionally to put a smile on his face.  Him being happy makes me happy. I already knew he'd have a fit and tell me I spent way too much on him, but what are best friends for?  He's all I have to give to, so I like to go big.

Stashed away in a closet, I knew I had a small Easter basket, but I went overboard buying and there was no way all I had picked up would fit into something so tiny.  I had held off purchasing an additional basket waiting for the prices to go on sale...one quarter off, one third off, but they never made it down to half price.  Figuring maybe the after-Easter sales might start Easter morning, I waited until the last minute.  None of the baskets were that large, so I figured I'd have to buy a couple more rather than throw everything in a box and present it to him that way.  I also had my eye on a 'basket' that appeared to be a magazine bin; dark wood and lined with fabric.  It was a bit on the expensive side, but would work as a last resort.

As soon as the store across the street opened, I was on my way in to get what last minutes items I needed.  The Easter aisle was bare and I asked what happened to everything.  I was directed to an end cap that was only half full...hardly anything left and only a couple very small baskets...nothing I could use.  I went to plan B and decided to get the magazine bin.  As I went to where the only one they had in stock had been on display; I discovered...it was gone!  Upon inquiring about it, the girl who was waiting on me told me she had just purchased it when she came into work.  Priced at $12.99; she couldn't resist when she saw it was on sale for $2.29.  ARGH!  I offered her $5 for it, but she wasn't willing to part with it.  Now what do I do?

I decided to wander around the store for a bit seeing if I could come up with an alternative.  There was a small display of storage bins with tops, but the prices were quite steep; even more than the magazine basket was originally priced.  As I was about to give up and opt for a wrapped cardboard box; I spotted an off-brand name bin...3 gallons...a festive pastel green 'Easter' color...$3.99.  I snatched one up and felt relief.

I headed home to arrange my gifts in preparation for going to my best friend's home for Easter dinner later.  I didn't even know what the menu consisted of, but I knew what wouldn't be included.  He was going to make lasagna and ricotta pie, but seeing how I had six pounds of lasagna in my freezer; he decided that's the last thing I'd want...more of the same. I knew he wasn't going to get my suggestion, a ham, because they were too expensive...and large.  What was he going to do with all the leftovers?

I had my contributions ready...half a pound each of sliced extra sharp New York cheddar, sharp Vermont cheddar, Muenster and Swiss and some smoked summer sausage along with rosemary and olive oil crackers.  I had baked a pound cake, prepared some strawberries and make fresh whipped cream for our dessert.  I never go to a gathering empty-handed.

As I was getting ready to head to Scott's, my phone rang.  I was hoping it wasn't him telling me things had run into a snag.  It ended up being my 'secret lover' wanting to come for a visit.  I told him I had plans and I was taken aback a bit when he wanted me to cancel so we could get together.  For someone who is supposedly 'interested' in me whom I haven't seen in over three months...again...no way was I blowing my best friend off for someone who has been acting like a fair-weather acquaintance.  We had 'words' and I ended up telling him off, especially because of him being so inconsiderate to me...coming to visit only when he's in the mood.  Little to say, I went to be with a true friend and Tiger was told 'NO!'  Off I went according to plans.

After some appetizers and a couple glasses of Red Newt wine, it was time to dine.  Salad was served and I began to pick.  To me, a salad consists of iceburg lettuce and tomato with dressing, of which we had half a dozen to choose from.  Along with 'greens' (not a leaf of iceburg to be found), he loaded the salad up with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, radish slices, croutons, bacon bits and more.  Time for the main meal and what a feast it was.  There were huge baked potatoes that appeared to be at least half a pound each along with sour cream, mashed yams with marshmallows melted on top (I told him he should have used Peeps for a more colorful presentation), a fresh loaf of homemade wheat bread with real butter, fresh green beans with bacon and a balsamic vinaigrette sauce and a huge glazed spiral ham with pineapple rings and cherries with ricotta pie and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Not being 'my time of the day' to eat, I nibbled a little but wasn't really hungry yet.  That meant I was sent home with a nice array of leftovers; enough that I know what I'll be having for the next couple of nights for dinner.  I stayed late and as I was getting ready to leave; I was given my Easter present.  Scott explained he knew he shouldn't have gotten me what he did because I shouldn't have it, but since it was a holiday; he thought he'd let me splurge a bit.  He hadn't wanted to spoil my appetite by giving it to me earlier...and he brought out a nice Easter basket filled with candy, some shortbread cookies...and some gifts for my cat, Shimmer, from his Dakota, the Pooper Dog.

I opened my basket when I got home.  I couldn't go through Easter without having at least one (package) of Peeps.  I had resisted temptation stealing one of his when I was preparing his basket.  Not even a jelly bean was eaten.  Coming across the presents for my kitty; I knew she'd would be in heaven.  There were 'foil balls' that I hadn't been able to find; her favorite toy.  She was even more excited about them than the half can of 'Seafood Supreme' I gave her for her Easter meal.  She immediately bagan batting one of the foil balls around.  She only gets one at a time or I'd spend most of my day on the floor looking under furniture to retrieve them for her...not to mention the little pieces of foil that tear off and litter my carpet.  I don't like to vacuum half a dozen times a day, either.  In addition to playing with them, her favorite thing to do with her foil balls is to carry them around in her mouth...and sleep with them.  She's worse than a child, especially when she wakes up in the middle of the night and proceeds to raise hell...bringing her toys into my bed to play.

I'm always stressing that it's the little things in life that are important.  In many cases, they matter more than huge events.  All you have to do is stop and take the time to appreciate them when you cross their paths.  My day ended up being a quite happy one filled with happy people...and pets.  Spending time with my best friend always lifts me up, especially when it's on a holiday I would otherwise sit home alone for.  After having just hung out with Scott a few days earlier; I was soaring now.  Nothing can get me down.  I sat looking at the pictures of him and me together...and just reflecting on our friendship brough tears to my eyes.  I wish all of you could have a best friend as fantastic as mine.  He's the greatest in the world and I've met no other person who means more and is as precious to me as he is.  The meal we shared and the gifts we gave made the day all that much better.  I was flying so high, I couldn't get to sleep for a couple of hours after I retired for the night because I was too excited from the day I had.

I know many of you spent time with family, while others had to work or had no one at all.  I feel blessed with what I had on Easter Day.  It doesn't get any better than what I experienced.  I hope your celebration came close to the joy I felt.  I'm still basking in the afterglow of my Easter as I begin to prepared for my next big day; something he and many of you will say is frivolous...Scott's and my anniversary coming up next week...of us meeting and becoming instant best friends 7 years ago; another one of those little events that mean a lot.  After that, the next 'big event' is one of our favorite holidays...Halloween; many months away.  I don't need a special day to make me feel special.  All I need is one of those 'little things' to make me feel like a million bucks...and Scott makes me feel like the richest man in the world.  Remember that that next time you're feeling down.  It doesn't cost anything and only requires the same in return.  Friendship is the greatest gift there is.  Make sure you let your best friends know how much they really mean to you and you'll be rewarded with everlasting love.