Easter was another of the special times in the canyons of home. In the early years, we all gathered at Grandmother's house for the Easter egg hunt, a big meal, and a full day of visiting with friends and relatives.

 Our little family would walk across the canyon from our adobe dwelling to arrive first because other relatives had to come from Tucumcari and Nara Visa. We would wait as patiently as possible while listening for the first sound of their motors rounding the bend at the store, and then my brother and I would dash up the hill to see who would be arriving first. We'd walk back to the house with them and await the arrival of the next group.

The thrill of seeing our aunts, uncles, and cousins was most pronounced because we really didn't get to see them very often, and one of us rarely got to see people her own age. Clough was more fortunate because he was in school and wal with children of his age during the week. I was usually out of control by the time the cousins arrived because the excitement of getting to play with them for a few hours was almost too much to tolerate.

During the earliest years, we younger ones were rarely allowed out of the yard because we didn't have sense enough to take very good care of ourselves. On one occasion we were told we could go to the bottom of the canyon, but that turned out to be a disaster because we promptly became lost and had to have our brothers come to the rescue. In the later years, we merely got into all the mischief we could dream up because we were a very lively lot.

 Riding the milk pen calves was a favorite sport but a definite "no-no" because Grandpa didn't approve of that activity. Well, no matter what the approval or disapproval, we usually managed to get into trouble while having a wonderful time. All too soon, the relatives would decide they had to return home because they had long drives ahead of them. The echoes would be gone before sundown, and we would cross the canyon to do our chores.

Although we looked forward the the fun and games, Grandmother never let us forget why we were celebrating that day. We knew we were together on a holy day, and we were always thankful for those gatherings. Our parents also kept us well informed as to the reasons for many of our special times together. I know that at least one of us associated the holy days of the year with the gathering of the family and felt that was a major treat as well as a maior statement in our celebrating such days.

Let's all remember the wonderful Easters of the past and be much aware of why we celebrated them. Aggie and I wish each of you a most blessed Easter.