By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Memories – we all have them. Most will bring a smile and a sense of nostalgia to us … Oh the good old days.

Stuffed Easter bunnies, beautiful pink, blue and green wrapped baskets, white chocolate and dark chocolate goodies from Elmore’s, Ben Franklin, Super 5&10, Kress or W.T. Grant.

New patent shoes for the girls and boys wore real dress shoes (not athletic sneakers).  If a boy didn’t get a new suit he might have a dress shirt or even a tie.

Girls wore new outfits complete with starchy crinolines, gloves and of course, no matter what your age, an Easter hat.

Some of my friends got to wear stockings by the fifth grade, but I wore neat turned down anklets with dressy ruffles through eighth grade.

I may have been the only girl at First Presbyterian of Andalusia to wear flat shoes and socks until eighth grade.

Most of my clothes were made by my mother and my aunt. My Aunt Mary, who had no children of her own, was my guardian angel all through my childhood.

The anticipation of Easter Sunday began with the beginning of Lent.

Our Sunday School flannel boards told the story of Jesus, his Jerusalem journey, capture and upcoming death.

All of a sudden the dogwoods and azaleas burst into bloom, the sanctuary took on all the vibrant colors of the stained glass windows as spring sunshine filled the air.

We knew our resurrection celebration was close at hand.

Department store windows had been decorated for over a month, local and church egg hunts were held, homemade wreaths hung on doors and houses were filled with relatives awaiting that Easter ham, family games and a picnic or egg hunt.

Ever had to hide eggs inside because of bad weather? Ever missed finding all of them? Phew!

I remember egg salad with purple, blue, red and green splotches where the dye bled through on the egg whites. Still tasted the same to me.

Seems these days we are in too big of a rush. Let’s all slow down, reminisce with your kids and grandkids and let your favorite house of worship uplift your spirit this Easter.

Let us all remember what Easter and the Cross really mean in our lives.