The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen. Matthew 28:5-6 (NIV)

What an exciting time go be living in. When I typed the Bible verse above, the thought came to me: “Oh, good! When I die and go to heaven, I can walk and run like I did when I was twelve years old, before polio!” I am most eager to dance with my brother and nephew, Shane. I have such a good life!

What fun I had this Saturday afternoon, when I rolled quickly to the courtyard to watch the Easter egg hunt. Even though the nurses said, “Maybe you should really think about that longer, it is chilly outside.” At the last few minutes, the aides helped me throw on my red wool cape and Peruvian scarf over me, and away I sped in my little power chair! There must have been two hundred or more children there. Riki (Berry) Cordova had three thousand or more eggs scattered on four grassy sides of the courthouse. What a fun sight to watch the children, and especially the interested parents and, in many cases, grandchildren or great-grandchildren or nieces and nephews.

I was so happy to get to visit with my niece, Celena, and her younger daughter, Elkle, who was quite tickled because she was one of the many winners of those fabulous cellophane-wrapped baskets. Riki and her volunteer helpers had placed the baskets set upon tables on the east side of the parking lot. Two teenage girls, Itzzi Ramirez and Brystal Bletzacker, helped Riki by setting aside the name-drawing cans, and helped the little ones accept the big, beautiful basket that they had won. Four children discovered that they had won a bicycle after they opened their eggs that they had hurriedly collected. Even though Rikki was in a hurry to get to her son, Jax’s, baseball game up on the north field in Eads, she still removed those road block signs and drove to the Weisbrod Extended Care Unit and Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community to give boxes chocolate bunnies to the residents. I was thinking, “Riki is such a wonderful young woman,” as she and her young daughter, Rilee, sped away to get to the game! I am sure she will be so tired tonight. There was a tall bunny rabbit with a big head and tall ears. He was handsome in white trousers and vest with a light blue shirt and gloves. I couldn’t get him to talk but another volunteer, Braylynn (Peck) Eder, took a photo of him with many children and groups. Now there is another jewel in our town: Braylynn! Braylynn’s younger daughter, Teller, who is Lucy Barnett’s “Adopted Granddaughter,” is in Charlene Gifford’s third grade program. Teller often volunteers to help our Brenda Leon as she conducts some of her activities with the residents here.

If you thought, as you drove down Maine Street Saturday afternoon, that there were lots of cars parked near the senior center, it was true because Loretta Seibel and her daughters who could travel to Eads, came for a luncheon hosted by Gail Voss and some dear ladies at the center.

Our dining room and Weisbrod were blessed Friday evening at the dinner hour to have Sarah Seibel bring her sister, Cheryl (Knoblock) Wren to visit the ladies at Weisbrod. Cheryl and her family drove up from the Texas coast: Angelina, Texas. Her husband, Richard, and their daughter, Amy Wren, and her daughter; Cheryl’s son, Matt Legg, and his son, Brady. Amy is the District Attorney of Angelina County in Lufkin, Texas. Loretta’s daughter, Teresa (Knoblock) Heatwole of Garden City, Kansas, came, and Wanda and Duane Bodey of Pueblo West were here. Sarah (Seibel) Ferris was glad to have her son and his three children. There may have been other relatives, but these are the relatives I saw and was told about. They told me that they appreciated the spacious rooms of the senior center for their gathering place.

At schools all around southeast Colorado, spring sports are in full swing now, even more so now with the addition of junior high baseball. There are even more events for families to attend.

This week, Denise Nelson and her Future Business Leaders of America chapter are at the state meet for numerous competitions with the hope of a trip to compete at the summer national competition. Our student aide, Kara Wilson, was bubbling over with excitement about this trip, where they will stay for several days in a fabulous looking huge new hotel in Denver.

Meanwhile, other students are preparing to attend the state Future Farmers of America meet under the leadership of their instructor, Justin Lenox.

It was a lovely sunny day for sunrises and church services Sunday in eastern Colorado. We are blessed to live in this part of America.

How good it was to have Pastors Lane and Deborah Gooden here Sunday afternoon for church services and at Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community. Kent Johnston of Arlington was here to lead singing of hymns.

Let’s pray for rain.