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After indulging in chocolate eggs, pickled fish and chocolate-chip hot cross buns (yes, it’s thing – a delicious thing), we’re sure most felt pretty warm and fuzzy coming into this week.
But it’s not really the food and yummies that does the trick. Oftentimes, a holiday that brings the family together and reminds us of how truly blessed we are – that's the key to happiness. So when one Redditor and parent shared her Easter story we just had to share it with all of you, because it gave us the warm fuzzies all over again.
who_is_Dandelo, wrote, “We didn't have money for candy or Easter baskets for our kids. We spent all the money we had left on eggs, so we could at least dye eggs and have an Easter egg hunt. My husband and I felt like the biggest failures as parents.”
We didn't have money for candy or Easter baskets for our kids yesterday. We spent all the money we had left on eggs, so we could at least dye eggs and have an Easter egg hunt. My husband and I felt like the biggest failures as parents. from r/Parenting
“Our kids are 14, 11, and 8. The older two understood that we're going through a tough time financially right now, and though they were disappointed about no candy, they just accepted our promise that the money problems really are going to get better very soon.
“My husband just started a new business not too long ago, and it was rough for a while. But he's finally full up on clients – we're just playing catch-up on back bills now, and then we'll be fine.
“Even our 8 year old, who doesn't really understand all that and was bitterly disappointed about no candy or toys, never complained or even pouted about it. Even when we were actively failing to meet their reasonable expectations from us, they just loved us and trusted us to take care of them, and enjoyed dyeing eggs and then hunting for them (or, the 14 year old, helping us hide the eggs).”
The mom of three made a plan for the candies though. “I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world, so I had a little stash of Blow Pops, Starbursts, and Laffy Taffys in my purse. I divided that up between the three of them, and they were as excited as if it were full Easter baskets. Somehow, that made me feel even worse.”
Also read: Irish 9-year-old collects 1 000 Easter eggs for sick kids
But then, something amazing happened.
“Someone rang the doorbell, left a HUGE basket of Easter candy and balloons, and five smaller Easter baskets inside the big one, and then drove off before we could see who it was. Expensive, nice stuff, not just a few peeps and jelly beans, and a LOT of it.
“I don't know who did that, or how they knew we needed it. Maybe one of the kids was talking to a friend, who told their parents. Maybe a teacher. Maybe a neighbor. Whoever you are – with all my heart, thank you. We'll be doing a lot better soon, and when we are, I promise we'll pay it forward as many times over as we can. Thank you.”
Now, despite providing you with cutting-edge journalism, we too were unable to find the Easter Angel who, out of the kindness of their heart, made this family’s Easter. But we do have a sneaking suspicion who it could be.
Also read: 3 local families tell us how they celebrate Easter
If that wasn’t inspiring enough, the mom updated everyone with the good news that her husband had just got three more new clients, while a complete stranger on Reddit gave them $100 towards groceries and a trip to their local ice cream store to take the kids out. “We are going to be okay financially even sooner than I thought,” she commented.
Many parents shared their stories and reminded the mom that she and her husband have nothing to be ashamed of. The very fact that they made a plan, despite their circumstances, made them the best of parents.
With a second update, she ended, “On Easter, before they got the anonymous Easter basket, my kids secretly put back the watermelon Starbursts and the banana Laffy Taffys, because they're my favorite. I just found them with a love note from my kids thanking me for giving them my stash of candy and telling me how much they love me.
"What beautiful little people my children are.
“I didn't even cry over the Easter basket, but I'm crying now.”
Same.
Chat back:
How did your family spend Easter this year? Share your story with us and we may publish it.
