Even the Easter Bunny had to Stay Home this Year

The Easter Bunny was put in quarantine this year. Families weren’t able to take pictures at malls with the Easter Bunny, children were unable to join Easter egg hunts, and the faithful were unable to celebrate the holiest day in Christian religions together in worship However, tradition runs deep, and many families created ways to pay tribute to establish traditions in new and unique ways. Kelly Imo, a mother of two daughters, Emily and Allyson, was raised catholic and has passed on those Easter traditions to her family. Imo’s Past Easter Sundays were spent at family gatherings, consisting of large meals, Easter egg hunt, and prayer. Some years Easter was spent in North Redington, Florida. From 2004 to 2018 her husband’s, Carl Imo, family enjoyed Easter on the beach. The day would start an outdoor mass performed at a local church. Then, the Imo family enjoyed brunch at the DoubleTree next to their condo. The rest of the day would be spent digesting brunch and relaxing on the beach. This year many obstacles interfered with a traditional Sunday Easter celebration and the Imo’s traditional Easter festivities. During the interview, Imo described what a normal Easter Sunday looked like. She said, “The day always began with an early morning run down the steps of children’s feet to see if the Easter Bunny had come. Shortly thereafter we would get dressed in our Easter Sunday clothes and go to mass.” Imo also said that her Easters were filled with meals consisting of springtime foods, ham, and a lot of desserts.

Imo mentioned how her family hasn’t ever spent a holiday with just the four of them. She explained that typically her family attends an Easter brunch on her husband’s side and then they go to her mom’s house for a smaller celebration. Some years Imo’s family was separated during Easter. Imo and her daughter Emily were usually at a volleyball tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While her husband and her other daughter, Allyson were in Florida relaxing on the beach. Having this special and rare time with her family made Imo very happy. She said, “There was something very special having my immediate family home, we got to the entire day together and without this quarantine and this stay in home order, I don’t think I would ever have gotten the chance to both of my girls home and my husband and the four of us together, we may never have the opportunity again.” Imo made the most out of quarantined Easter.

Faith is a very important part of Imo’s life. This during the quarantine gatherings over 10 people are prohibited, so not only Imo but many people were unable to carry out their Easter Sunday traditions, such as attending mass. The Catholic community still gave its members the opportunities to worship the rising of Christ. Imo mentioned how she watched the Stations of the Cross online and she also participated in an online prayer chain. Imo took advantage of all of the opportunities that she was given this Easter and considered them as blessings.