Easter Egg Hunt Gone Wrong
As I was pondering what to write about this week, I realized that my post would come out on Easter. In honor of this holiday, I wanted to share one of my funniest memories. I hope it makes you laugh, too!
In my family, we often had an egg hunt on Easter, especially when my son Jacob was little. On this particular occasion, we were on a family vacation to Kiawah Island in South Carolina. Searching for something to keep an active four-year-old happy, we discovered a kid’s egg hunt taking place in the huge grassy area near the clubhouse. When Jacob saw the enormous Easter basket the winner would receive, he was all in. He WANTED that basket.
On the day of the hunt, we took him over to the location and explained what he needed to do, even pointing out a few of the Easter eggs we could see in the grass. Soon, it was time for the race to begin. Jacob, basket in hand, shot off like a prize racehorse as soon as the whistle blew. Running as fast as his little legs would carry him, he flew back and forth, pointing and then running on again.
Watching him, we were confused. What was he doing? He had yet to put an egg in his basket! That’s when it dawned on us. In our instructions, we pointed to the eggs. Apparently, he missed the part about picking them up!
Frantically, we tried to get his attention, watching as other girls and boys ran past with baskets full, but Jacob was too focused on his task to hear our cries.
When the whistle blew to end the race, he came over to us, a big smile on his face, confident he had won the coveted basket (he assured us that he’d found every egg) - only to be crushed when we explained he’d needed to gather the eggs to win.
Don’t worry - the story had a happy ending - thanks to Jacob’s Grandma Anne who chipped in on an even bigger Easter basket from the store for him. And yes, I know we probably missed a teachable moment about how to deal with disappointment, but before you judge, check out the photo below taken right after he got the bad news. Could you deny that cute face what he wanted? And my mom would probably agree that act of compassion paid off. Jacob has grown up to be a kind and caring adult. He’s even traveling to Ireland with her for her 80th birthday in April!
And just in case you’ve experienced something like this, I hope you spread some kindness to yourself, too. Most of us have gotten swept up in a big want, only to get disappointed or embarrassed when it didn’t work out.
But that’s okay. We don’t have to get it right all the time. It’s okay, too, if we let ourselves be comforted when we’re disappointed (just avoid those drugstore baskets - I don’t think any of the toys inside made it through the week. My ecological self is still cringing at the waste.)
Sending love and wishes for a beautiful day - whatever day you come upon this!
Me and Jacob after he got the bad news
Grownup Jacob with his grandparents and Buttons
