Baristanet shutterbug S.J. Streeter captured the spirit of Easter in bloom around Baristaville and says it wouldn’t be Easter without flowers. Easter is special like that — like spring, it’s about rebirth, renewal.

There are a lot of things I can’t imagine Easter without — including celebrating the holiday twice. I’ve always celebrated Easter and Greek Easter — this year they are on the same day.

Easter means pastel eggs, as well as bright red eggs or eggs dyed in onion skins. Easter means an egg hunt — we always did it indoors, lifting the lid of the piano or peeking inside the china cabinet to look for eggs. Easter meant chocolate bunnies — hollow or (score!) solid. And of course, the egg cracking game.

Easter also meant the flame — a tradition in my Greek Orthodox faith that involves the priest lighting a holy candle to symbolize that Christ has risen and then passing that flame one by one to all the parishioners in the completely darkened church. Slowly the church begins to light up with candles until you are surrounded by a sea of flickering lights.

Then, there is the challenge of bringing home the flame to bless your house. Navigating a crowded church meant making sure you didn’t get your hair burned — or burn someone else. Walking to your car was always tricky on windy, rainy nights — you guarded your flame and helped others who lost theirs along the way. The drive home meant protecting your flame, and enduring the occasional drips of wax on the sheltering hand. Once home, you blessed your doorway, or as we did, put the flame to light our pilot light.

Easter means keeping the flame burning all year round. Happy Easter Baristaville — what makes it Easter for you?