Easy Easter

This Easter has almost slipped by unnoticed. Shops are open, it is the middle of the school holidays - just another long weekend, with time to plan a family get-together.

When I was growing up, Easter was an occasion. The choir practiced new songs, the priest wore a different colour robe (vestments?), there was a build-up to Good Friday with its austerity and sorrow, followed by a real sense of celebration on Easter Sunday when "The angel rolled the stone away". Even the songs were different and special, more meaningful because only sung on this one occasion.

I fully understand the idea of celebrating the Cross and the resurrection "every day"; yet also see some sense in this one, special weekend when everyone - Christian or not - pauses to reflect.

I am sad that my children don't know some of the glorious Easter hymns I learned - songs full of truth and triumph, like this one:

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Saviour, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord.

Then up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph oe'r His foes!

 He arose victorious from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign; 

He arose, He arose, Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Colour and form

Does shape affect colour? Looking out at my garden, I would have to say it does. The deep pink roses are a round, bright disk against the background of their leaves; those leaves in turn are a complex display of white-green (reflecting the sunlight) and almost-black (the deep shade behind the plant).

In front of the rose-bush, the fine-leafed lemon verbena offers less solid blocks of colour, and a more yellow tinge.

Right at the back is the very bright lemon tree. Even its leaves are yellow-green, shades of the fruit to come, with the brightness of a child's pastel-box. Here and there the contrast of a dark strip of branch makes the leaves stand out even more.

The variety of greens is simply astounding - all the more, as I realise how they are mixed and contrasted with so many other colors.

At such times, so in awe of this colour and filled by it, I think perhaps my very soul is green...