By LIZ MARCHI
We were treated to a visit yesterday from a young family who lives in Whitefish. The Mother is from my hometown and was in the same sorority as my entire family save me. (I am only a member of the sorority of dirt lovers). They have a darling little girl who turns 4 today. She had a big bow in her hair just like the ones my girls came to Montana with. We have mutual friends through our parents and extended family. I learned a lot of people and connections in the south.
The visit reminded me of the importance of Easter in the south. It’s beautiful, the flowers and early green of spring are welcomed after the gray of winter. The culture is much more steeped in new clothes, Easter bunnies, big bows, white socks with lace and of course, the dyed eggs and jellybeans.
I love our WAGYU babies.
As I grow older, I often wonder how my children, who are now grown, remember holidays. We moved to Montana when they were 18, 14 and 12. I wanted them to have a bigger life experience. The world is getting smaller and the understanding of diverse cultures and traditions is a value I hold. But, I also want them to have a strong sense of their roots and family. We spend a lot of time and energy in the south on many rituals which are wonderful. We love our homes cozy and well decorated, we love our food. Yesterday, we talked about pimento cheese and egg salad. Those are found in most homes like one might find beef jerky in Montana.
Easter traditions.
In our desire to grow and learn, I hope we all take the time to cherish our traditions for what they are, a part of the culture we come from and that those important in their lives also cherish their past. I love that Mary Hannah also now includes baby cows in her Easter time tradition, along with the bow and a lovely hostess gift for visiting.
Life is good.
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Liz Marchi lives on a ranch in Polson, Montana with her husband Jon. She is the Fund Coordinator for the Frontier Angel Fund and spends a lot of time thinking and learning about entrepreneurs, the economy and Montana’s unique place in the world. She has three daughters and a stepson and daughter and a grandchild. She graduated from Hollins College and is entering the final quarter of life…unless we go into overtime.