Too much expected from expectations
It is my understanding that everybody loves pancakes.
As a child my Nanna would occasionally put all kinds of delightful treats, raisins, peaches, strawberries, etc. in my Saturday breakfast. But on Shrove Tuesday this was not the case. Every treat possible was in those pancakes. Not that I objected, but I was puzzled. But so be it.
As I got older I came to understand the significance. Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent, because they are a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. In other traditions, especially those where it is called Mardi Gras or some translation thereof, this is a carnival day, and also the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent.
The liturgical fasting emphasizes eating simpler food and refraining from food that would give undue pleasure. In many cultures, this means no meat, dairy products or eggs. We were dairy and egg farmers so just the meat was left out.
The 40 days before Easter are in my tradition a time of repentance, reflection and selfgrowth. For Christians this is a most holy and significant time. For me, it is more significant than Christmas. Our commercialized society has forgotten the meaning of many traditions.
I walk into retail outlets and I see Valentines and Easter stuff. Indeed, I saw this just after Christmas. I hear the dear ones hoping for treats and gifts. I am distressed as they do not – as I did not – understand. However, I am not even sure that their caregivers have the traditions. They are responding to marketing parameters. The Easter Bunny is not Santa Claus! The Easter Bunny, also called the Easter Rabbit or Easter Hare, is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the "Easter Hare" originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide. The Easter Bunny is sometimes depicted with clothes. In legend, the creature carries colored eggs in his basket, candy, and sometimes also toys to the homes of children, and as such shows similarities to Santa Claus as they both bring gifts to children on the night before their respective holidays.
The global marketing scenarios have set expectations that we feel we must respond to as that is expected. As a parent, many years ago I purchased a rosary for my son and spent time organizing an Easter egg hunt. The hunt was as I had experienced. The findings included a response from the finders to do good deeds for others. The candy had a proviso that asked the child to share. At the time, he did not understand. He does now.
Our children need to understand the concept of care, love, respect and responsibility.
On Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., St Patricks’s in Digby is opening their hearts and having a freewill pancake supper. I will be there. I hope you will join me.