Todd G. Higdon: Easter memories

Call it a fond memory, but as we approach Easter, I remember coloring eggs for a traditional Easter egg hunt at my home.

Easter around the Higdon household consisted of Greg and I waking up early, going to the front porch and seeing what the Easter Bunny had left us. A basket for each of us was filled with candy, small toys and occasionally stuffed animals. We then would eat some of the candy and get ready to attend Easter services.

After returning from church, we had the traditional Easter lunch, and then the fun began.

Mom and Dad would make us stay inside while they hid the Easter eggs outside. Fifteen minutes later, Greg and I would go outside, with baskets in our hands, and search for the colorful eggs.

But it was the places that my parents would hide the eggs that still bring a worried look to my face -- and laughter as well. You see, when I was very young, they hid the eggs in trees, near the cars, the house and other places. But the place that I dreaded going to collect the eggs was under the "flie-degees," or bushes.

I guess I was scared that there were bugs under the bushes and if I went to collect the eggs, they would swarm around me and bite me. Being as courageous as I could, I sat down on the ground, eyed the eggs and slowly went in for the attack. My parents sat back, waited and anticipated me getting the eggs. And, yes, it took forever for me to get those eggs, but to my knowledge, I only had a few times that the "flie-degees" came about for me. They just swarmed around me.

Even though I am now 37 years old, I still hesitate going under bushes, especially for Easter eggs. But we still get a chuckle out of the "flie-degees."

Have a safe and happy Easter and, remember, it is not all about hunting Easter eggs or eating candy, it is about Jesus Christ rising from the grave.

Neosho Daily News