I’m not going to ask for Cadbury Creme Eggs this year (the British version, because I’m no amateur). I’m not going to do it. I will not get my hopes up. The Easter Bunny seems to love to shower the rest of my clan with sugar-highs and calorie counts, but me? Nada. I guess we all know who wears the big ears in this house.
That’s okay. I am swearing off chocolate and potato chips until the election is over. Stress eating is not helping me squeeze back into my favourite spring attire (which is really the same as my winter attire, jogging pants, only my spring sweats are in pastel pallets).
This election has me hopping with hyper excitement like the Easter Bunny himself. I love elections. It’s exciting. Debates. Slogans that mean nothing, but make for great sound bites. There’s more spin than my washer machine with a heavy load of towels. All this in the midst of an economic crisis. It’s like buying a ticket to the circus (actually, I can’t afford the admission, so I snuck in), sitting in the big ring and watching the chaos. I liken it to eating cotton candy; I consume enough to feel sick, but I can’t stop watching the show.
Canadians caring about nationhood with renewed passion. Sure, it scares me to watch the country divide over politics. But wow, what a time to be alive.
This long weekend is my time to rest and get ready for election day. I plan to read all the major Canadian print newspapers I can get at the variety store. I want to read all the perspectives and news coverage I can consume, to stave off the desire for Cadbury Creme Eggs. Give me a good editorial, op-ed, interviews, all the perspectives: red, blue, orange. Let’s go.
Many of you will gather this Easter weekend with family, celebrating your connection to faith and the messages of renewal, hope and eternal life. Others will focus on the secular traditions of the Easter Bunny, with plastic egg hunts full of candy treasures and chocolate rabbits (go solid or go home). Some of you rebellious types will do both: chocolate and church. I respect that.
Here’s some advice to keep the messages of Easter with your loved ones this holiday: do not discuss the election. Just hop over it. Don’t discuss American politics. Leap over that. Don’t discuss money markets, social media memes, or share comedy sketches. Do not discuss the news, especially with those who wouldn’t know a legitimate news source from a paid, cleverly-disguised advertisement. Don’t even try to explain bias. Just don’t go there.
Should any of this come up during your family discussions over Easter celebrations, eat chocolate. Just keep your mouth full of delicious treats and avoid eye contact. Do not engage. Just let your tipsy aunt or your uncle, who always has to be the loudest and most informed (despite not actually being informed) share their opinions. Accept that they are valid, because democracy in real-time is important. So is chocolate.
Easter reminds us of the power of hope, peace and faith in a better future. Leave your politics at the door, put your phone away, and be grateful for what you have.
If the Easter Bunny is reading this, take the hint.
Happy Easter.
