i had easter dinner tonight.

granted, it is easter, after all. but considering the circumstances, i wasn't really expecting to have easter dinner.
but, i was pleasantly suprised by an invitation from a considerate friend, and therefore found myself jostling along the westbound subway line on my way to an honest-to-goodness easter dinner.

the stone steps to the doorway were steep and smooth, leading past gardens shrouded in spring evening, and the unlocked front door revealed a warm and bustling house. the flurry of introductions was breifly interrupted by a hug from his grandmother, an impish, energetic bundle of hospitality. we watched COPS for a while until dinner was announced, and then all gathered around a tulip-bedecked table and dug in. partway through the meal, we paused to say grace. hands clasped across wine glasses and generations, and seemingly irreverent heads bowed as low murmurous voices gave thanks. i didn't know the prayer, but i'm glad i was there.

by the time dinner was over, i'd made friends with two dogs and a few cousins, eaten myself silly, and been given a hunk of home-made bread, a home-made coconut easter egg, and a pair of jeans.

on the train ride home, i thought of my family and wondered whether my suddenly-teenaged siblings were going to hunt for eggs tomorrow; whether they'd deign to participate in such a juvenile gesture, or if they'd just watch our neighbors' three-year-olds scamper across the yard and pretend not to be jealous.