Jill's Journal: Easter fashions of past are priceless memories

Decked out for Easter

Growing up, there were two holidays that constituted a new dress for my mom and me: Easter and Christmas. 

And without fail, we both sported “something new” on the big holidays of a Lutheran-brand church each year.

The other day, after hanging up from a phone conversation with my brother and the decision to forego a family get-together this year, my memories took me back to the Easter attire that my mom chose to dress me in as a youngster. It was usually something pink, white, pale blue or yellow. You know, the colors we all associate with chocolate bunny season.

One particular Easter, I was dressed in head-to-toe in true Easter fashion, that not only included a new frilly dress, but also white shiny shoes, gloves, a purse and an Easter bonnet to top it off. That’s right, a straw-like white hat with a train of pink ribbons that flowed among my then-long blonde and Shirley Temple-like curls.

Although I surely didn’t have it in the bank – nor my folks, for that matter – I well remember feeling like a million bucks.

I wore these dresses probably more times than I can count on my fingers and toes combined. And, without fail, the gloves, shoes, purse and bonnet complimented each and every wear.

While I was “decked” out to the nines, it was a corsage that we’d pin on mom’s dress every year. I’m guessing the same way that my gloves and bonnet made me feel, is exactly how the tiny bouquet of flowers made her feel special, too.

The corsage wasn’t a “one and done” wear. For as many Sundays as it withstood the test of time in the refrigerator, mom would pin it on week after week. (I’m guessing that came from the “if it’s not broke” mentality, “don’t fix it” or in this case, “don’t toss it out.”)

It’s been an awful long time since I’ve shopped for a dress, more specifically a dress for church holidays, like Easter and Christmas. The last dresses I plunked off the racks were for family weddings, all too many years ago now. So, with just days to go before Easter sunrise services, I probably won’t be decked out in a new Easter dress and all of the accompanying bling that made me feel like a million bucks so many years ago. Instead, I’ll cherish the priceless memories.

Happy Easter.