Palm Sunday...A Time of Preparation

Who is in this photo? Great question - Left to Right
Back Row (standing): Sue Allen (My amazing Mom), my Great Aunt Kay Allen, my Cousin Amy Allen, my Great Aunt Judy Spencer, my cousin Gwen Allen, and my Gram Mary Searles
Front Row (sitting): my Great Aunt Ellen Raby (on couch), my cousin Carol Raby, my cousin Terri Downing, myself, and my cousin Shawnacy Searles.

Okay, so this first photograph isn't of Heidi and I yet it does reflect the wonderful, fun, and amazing family we were raised in. The reason for this picture today instead of  later in the week will be revealed after focusing on the importance of Palm Sunday.

Today is Palm Sunday. For most, this is the start of Holy Week with Bible readings detailing Jesus' Triumphal Entry. I thought about giving you a Biblical history lesson but decided to let the "Skit Guys" do it instead via a Youtube video. I hope you enjoy it. They share the truth of the Bible and the significance of today, the Sunday before Easter ~ with a respectful humor.

Please understand it isn't my intent to ignore the importance of today in relation to Easter. My hope is to let a couple goofy guys, with a humor similar to mine share with you about Palm Sunday while I share a little about my fabtabulous family. Of course the picture above is on Easter Sunday because we are sporting our homemade bonnets.

Palm Sunday kicked off the annual "Easter Bonnet Decorating Contest" in our family. I don't know how it started but I'm sure it had something to do with my Gram and her sisters. They probably wanted to make sure we were focused on Easter all week, and so we did. There were prizes for the prettiest, most creative, and the silliest. If I missed one, I'm sure Mom or Auntie M will fill in the missing pieces.

I must admit, this was one of my favorite things to create. Our family dinners were always exciting and involved some element of competition and fun but at Easter, it was special and seemed to mean more. You can tell by looking at the variety of bonnets, creativity is in the genes. I still think my Mom's were always the best. She came up with the best ideas, but I might be partial.

One thing we liked about this competition is the kids had to make their own bonnet, without help from an adult, to keep it fair. I cried many a time because I wanted my bonnet to be as cool as my Mom's but it always seemed to crash, rip, or be destroyed before the judging. But then I forgot to take it and played all day wearing my bonnet. Hmmm...go figure.

Did you notice in both of these Easter photos on today's blog, people are in shorts? Praying for a warm Easter next week, I have a mystery book signing outside in nine days. Oops, did I just slip another clue? lol

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So while we read about the Triumphal Entry today, of Jesus' preparation for death on the cross ~ remember there is joy and celebration a week from today because after Jesus suffered death on a cross for our sins this coming Friday, He rose again on Easter Sunday. With thanksgiving, through our relationship with Jesus ~ eternity is real!

What traditions do you have during Holy Week?
Which bonnet do you think won the year this photo was taken?