{"id":2656,"date":"2017-04-11T14:00:48","date_gmt":"2017-04-11T20:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/?p=2656"},"modified":"2017-04-11T14:00:48","modified_gmt":"2017-04-11T20:00:48","slug":"whos-at-your-farm-easter-table","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2017\/04\/11\/whos-at-your-farm-easter-table\/","title":{"rendered":"Who’s at Your Farm Easter Table?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Who'sWatching the snow fly and hearing the wind howl is great motivation to have visions of Easter bread, tulips, lilies, and folks gathered to celebrate. I have written about Easter at least 20 times in the past 22 years. What more can I say?<\/p>\n

I attended a gathering last weekend where we were reminded again about the importance of hospitality to draw folks together and build understanding.<\/p>\n

A farm transition consultant has the habit of asking clients what kind of Christmas they are envisioning after the transfer of the farm has been executed. It cuts to the heart of strong farm families. Strong families celebrate. Anxious families phone me the week before the big three: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.<\/p>\n

Are you longing for a better experience around the ham and scalloped potatoes this year? So am I.<\/p>\n

Breaking Bread<\/h3>\n

Our family is very small since siblings live in other provinces, and few are close by. The ham is always too big, so I invite folks to join us at our table. The circle in our kitchen can grow larger as we feed hungry souls and those who are shy to admit their loneliness.<\/p>\n

Breaking bread together is a great way to really get to know what is happening in the lives of others. I much prefer to host folks after church in my home rather than at a restaurant. The young kids enjoy playing Legos while we visit and share life stories over tea and simple fare.<\/p>\n

This winter has been long, interesting, and very full. The common theme from young farmers is a heart cry to ask for magical solutions to draw the older generations to the table just to talk about change and creating certainty for their futures. Separating the celebration side of the family with the chores of the farm is hard to do. Perhaps this is the year that you invite a few more folks to the table to create a more festive fun group, and the conversation will be kept light due to the mix of family and friends.<\/p>\n

I am not asking you to avoid having the tough conversations, but perhaps you need a \u201cwarm-up\u201d party where the clan gets used to the idea of sharing a meal together without any agenda except to enjoy each other\u2019s company. Maybe the theme for your family this year is to build bridges and reach out to each other to create a better atmosphere for sharing expectations of your future.<\/p>\n

Learning to Forgive this Easter<\/h3>\n

Easter is a season for transformation. Jesus rose from the dead and his resurrected body signals to Christian believers that eternal life is real, death has lost its sting.<\/p>\n