.:: By John B Grimes
Trying to determine how often Easter falls on March 31st throughout history is challenging to say the least. The most recent occurrence, back in 2013, was etched in my memory long before yesterday. It marks a time of both profound joy and devastating loss.
My wife and I were stunned but overjoyed at the pregnancy confirmed by her obstetrician. Because of meningitis induced neurological damage and blindness, we took a rather uncommon path to this miraculous occurrence.
Just weeks later at our second appointment, on April 1st, the day after celebrating Christ’s resurrection, the handheld ultrasound device did not detect a heartbeat. The doctor said this is common. We changed rooms where I encountered a large screen on the wall in front of me—a sonogram I could not see. My wife began to cry. I imagined the happy tears on my wife’s face as she saw the tiny being that fulfilled her dream of being a mother. I worried about how good of a dad I would be. I could not see what the others saw, could not tell the tears of joy from the tears of pain.
On a day reserved for light-hearted pranks and jests, this devastating news delivered a gut-wrenching blow. The pain struck unexpectedly, plunging me into depths of anguish previously unknown. As a man, the weight of grief manifests in silent suffering, stoically navigating a sea of emotions. But this loss reverberated through every fiber of my being, revealing vulnerabilities that I didn’t even know existed.
A year later, we experienced our second miscarriage before success eventually arrived in the form of our newborn child. It’s easy to throw around the word “miracle,” especially when the journey was as emotional as this one. But, there she was, somehow simultaneously three weeks early, fashionably late, and right on time. Perfect in every way. We would quickly add two more equally perfect daughters and complete our new family.
Easter embodies the promise of redemption, renewal, and hope. It marks the triumph of life over death, as Jesus Christ conquered the grave, offering salvation to all who believe. The resurrection symbolizes divine love and forgiveness, reminding us of the limitless mercy and grace of God.
Though for us, April Fool's Day may forever bear some of the weight of our earthly trials, it becomes a sacred reminder of the transformative power of faith. Heralding a fresh beginning, Easter is a chance to leave behind the burdens of the past and embrace the promise of a brighter future. It serves as a beacon of light in times of darkness, inspiring faith, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity, and reaffirming the eternal promise of God's presence and love.
