Annalee Jones, High school senior, Bellevue

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"I think of chocolate bunnies and my family and my friends and picnics. I think of picnics because I think of Easter baskets and egg hunts and being outside. We don't have any specific traditions, but we do get together and eat... It's a time for a lot of people to go to church on Sunday because Easter is the Resurrection of Christ. It's just not my own personal belief... I also think of my little nieces because they go on Easter Egg Hunts now -- I'm too old. They are so cute!... And I wish everybody a Happy Easter, no matter what their tradition."

Kaaren Daugherty, Mechanical engineer, Seattle

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"Well, I consider Easter a religious holiday, so I think of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ... There's been a concern over the lack of growth in the traditional mainline churches. The people that I see going to church have some roots in the church. But I have personally seen older people go back to the church when they're facing terminal illness... If people don't understand the meaning of the Resurrection, then they'll think of the commercial side. It's okay to do Easter that way -- I have an Easter basket for my son. But I want him to focus on the true meaning of Easter -- to understand why we're celebrating from a religious aspect."

Ray Fowler, Bookseller, Bellevue

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"I think of new beginnings because of the religious connotation -- being risen -- and the starting of new life, as well as of Spring itself -- new blooms... I think religion is less important to more people, but more important to those people who find it... Easter is as commercial as any other holiday. I work retail and usually work on Easter, so it's not that big of a holiday for me. And basically, I'm not that religious. This year, I'm not working, so we'll have dinner with the family."

Ann Ravnsborg, Human services, Bellevue

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"I think of both the religious and the secular parts of Easter. The part I like best is the springtime and the happiness. But Easter disturbs me because of what happened to Jesus in Jerusalem... It stems back to when I was in Sunday School and the teacher was explaining to us how Christ died on the cross and I was very uncomfortable with that image -- how he died, the nails... That's why I have bad feelings about Easter, too. I celebrate, but not in a religious tradition."

James McCrone, Administrative assistant, Seattle

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"Easter dinner. Most holidays, I think of food with family and friends. Our tradition is grilled lamb with Rosemary potatoes with as much of the family as can be there... I like it when there are eight to ten people and you've all contributed something and you're all eating and talking... I think what one's observance is is a private concern."

Fiona McCrone, Age 6, Seattle

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"Finding the eggs. Hard-boiled ones, or plastic eggs with little candies inside -- or they're all-candy. I think the Easter Bunny hides the eggs so children can find them... It hasn't been Easter for a long time... I'm going to give my Daddy a plastic egg with a special note inside saying 'I love you!'."

Copyright © 1996 by the Bellevue, WA-based Journal American newspaper.

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