Easter Sunday

by Nick Coons
Apr 7, 2004

When I was younger, my mom and I would wake up early Easter morning and go to Sunrise Mass at Holy Spirit Church in Tempe. They had the folding chairs set out on the lawn in front, and coffee and doughnuts were available for the parishioners. There was one year that I remember when they could not set up outside, and Sunrise Mass had to take place indoors -- because of snow.

Yes, it is the only time that I can recall any snow in the valley. Back in 1987 on Easter morning, about 1/100th of an inch of snow landed on Tempe. I don't know if it fell elsewhere, and I don't think anyone really cared that it was such a small amount. The fact that it snowed was enough for everyone.

In more recent years, our family has been spending each Easter at our relatives' house in Scottsdale. Family get-togethers are always fun for us, especially when they include BBQ, frisbee, croquet, and hiding eggs high up in trees and thoroughly taping them to the branch as to make it as difficult as possible for my younger brothers to actually get to them and bring them down.

This Sunday will be another event of the same type, and as usual, I'm really looking forward to it!