As a Christian, Easter is the most special time of the year for me. A time of hope, joy, second chances and new beginnings. 

I am supremely grateful for the now cooler climes of Autumn in Brisbane, my residence, at this time of year. (Brisbane residents endured a long Summer of searing and draining high temperatures and oppressive humidity).

My Easter break, spent at home, will be a time for me of relaxation and restoration. This will take the beautiful and life-affirming form of listening to the birds cheerily chirping outside my window, walking along atmospherically tree-lined streets, passing a multitude of eager and rambunctious dogs and walkers as I walk, and reading books that are recent publications to my heart’s content. A book I will be reading this Easter is “What Happened to Nina” by Irish author, Dervla McTiernan (the loveliest person you could meet, I went to a recent author talk by her). She is an author with a razor-sharp intellect and is phenomenally gifted in writing crime thrillers. I will also be reading “The House That Joy Built” (on creativity), by Australian author, Holly Ringland. I am looking forward to reading a book by her for the first time, as I have read many raving reviews of her books.

Additionally, I will be binge-watching transporting, fabulously eery and brilliantly scripted and acted, episodes of “Vera” (a British crime series) on dvd and listening to my go-to radio station, 96.five. Musically, I will also be serenaded by cd with the classy and timeless Johnny Cash, the thought-provoking and deep thinker, Sting, and the soul-stirring Cole Porter. 

Milk chocolate is my favourite Easter chocolate of all. Hopefully I can ration it?

On Good Friday, I will be heading off to visit my 84 year old mother, who lives nearby. I enjoy my weekly catch-ups with her, and it is a time of joy when I see her. A mother’s unconditional love is precious beyond measure.

Saturday night, I’m off to have a roast lamb dinner at my brother and his family’s house. For some reason, I always associate Easter with a roast lunch/dinner. Perhaps due to the considerable influence of my English/Irish ancestors?

My most memorable Easter was camping in the ethereally beautiful environs of O’Reilly’s, in the Gold Coast hinterland. Think mossy, emerald-green rainforest, mountain vistas ‘to die for’, cascading and relentlessly flowing waterfalls and walking tracks that go on forever).

That redemptive Easter was spent with my devoted parents, Bill and Estelle, and exuberant and playful siblings, Mark, Peter, Jenny and Megan. I remember having quite literally one of the best times ever, excitedly walking and exploring the well graded tracks that took us to creeks and waterfalls gushing with pristine water, and to lookouts that showed us God’s imprint on this terrain. I recall also going to “Junior Rangers” and devouring an abundance of chocolate Easter eggs. It was a time of superlative happiness and joy. 

My family have since had a great love affair with O’Reilly’s, camping and staying at the Mountain Retreat and Villas many transcendent times.

Yes, Easter will always hold a special place in my heart. It really is a wonderful time of year, particularly in much of Australia, where Autumn temperatures are refreshingly welcome. Happy Easter to everyone! I hope this Easter is a time of hope and joy for you, however and wherever you are spending it.