The Meaning of April Fools' Day....

Different than You Expect

What do you think of on April 1st?  For many people, it's April Fools' Day.  This day is observed throughout the Western world.  Practices include sending someone on a "fool's errand," looking for things that don't exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things. Are you a April Fool victim?  Personally, I find it impossible to believe anything on April 1st, due to the pranking and hoaxes that take place.  Even some newspapers, magazines, and other media report fake stories, which are then explained the next day or later in the day.  April Fool's is not a public holiday in any other country then our own. 

But April 1, has so much more meaning to that for me. Growing up, I was always eager to hear about how my aunt played April Fools' jokes on her family.  As a birthday girl on the famous day, she was always bound and determined to not only not be a fool, but to fool to extreme levels.  I can only remember a few, but they included having a frozen cereal bowl and putting a "it's a girl" sign in a neighbors yard.  My aunt also did many other outrageous April Fools' jokes. I can remember as a kid, to be completely 'on my game' when speaking or seeing her on April 1st. Family members are special people in our lives and we rejoice with them as they celebrate birthdays.  If you know my family at all, you know that we bring a party and often a crowd to whatever we are doing.  But it is through love that this takes place. 

But 5 years ago, April 1, took on another meaning for me.  A man that entered our family though marriage, became an uncle like no other. He had his crazy ways (like we all do), but his outpouring love as well.  He was the guy that could sit for hours doing a puzzle or watch the same movie 4 times in a row.  He could get us kids wild with only seconds and knew more about fishing then I will ever know.  He made life complete in our family. But April 1, 5 years ago, we lost Uncle Henry.  He went to be with the Lord.  It was a long week of struggle for his wife, my aunt, and other family members.  God was there each moment, guiding my family from the hospital to home each day.  5 years ago, the emotions of death took over my family.  But through love we were able to join together as a family we supporting one another. 

During my growing up days, I was brought up in the Lutheran church.  And in the Lutheran church, there are the 40 days of lent when you give something up to become closer to Christ.  Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper - a Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples the night before his death. During the meal, Jesus broke bread and offered his followers wine, saying "This is my body given, up for you, This is my blood give, up for you".  The following Friday, observed as Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified and died.  It is very somber day on the Christian calendar.   Through the walk of these days, we are reminded that Jesus died for us, yes US. Easter is the most important Christian holiday, no not for the bunnies and goodie baskets, but instead as a celebration of the day Jesus rose from the dead.  Easter symbolizes forgiveness, rebirth, and God's saving power. 

Holy Week 2012 took me on a true journey to Christ.  I often reflect, that I feel my life grew deeper to God through that week.  Uncle Henry died on Palm Sunday.  I can remember exactly where I was when my dad told me, who I was with and the support that my friends surrounded me with.  We were doing the annual hike up Hibriten Mountain.  More than anything I felt empty, but I was reminded that death is part of life, through the lite up cross on top of Hibriten mountain. Throughout that week, we had preparations to take care of.  A funeral took place, in the town my aunt and Henry were living in, but he had requested to be buried at home, Lenoir, NC.  Lenoir was not home for him to us, but it was to him. On the day of the burial, we made our own flowers arrangements, rode together.  We shared memories of Uncle Henry, memories that were special and unique to us.  We joined as family to go to the grave side. Holy week took on a whole new meaning to me that week.  Jesus died for us!  Those 4 words are often spoken, but to fully feel them, wow. 

April 1 is not just a day on the calendar for me and honestly it's not really April Fools' to me.  But instead it is a day that I rejoice in knowing that my aunt was born to come into this world to make a difference.  And she does just that.  Her love for teaching swimming is incredible.  And soon will be a grandmother, and I have confidence that she will teach the babies to own the world with confidence, just as she does.  April 1 is day of birth and death for me.  A day that I rejoice for my aunt's birthday and a day that I remember my uncle Henry.  His life impacted mine in ways people will never understand.  There are movies that I see and instantly think of him.  There are inside stories that my family has of packing and moving my aunt here, that I will always have close to my heart.  His love for me was a blessing.  April 1 is not just a day on the calendar, it is a day to rejoice to the Lord, because he gave his only son to die for us.  God took a sad moment and helped me see the light.  I rejoice in the Lord. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

April 1 is a sad days in a lives as well as a happy one.  As my family rejoices in celebrating a 50th birthday, help us also to care for those that are remembering the death of a loved one.  Today brings two emotions together that are opposites.  But because of you, we are able to see the blessings of death and the blessings of a birth.  Lord, you know our struggles and our weaknesses, you know our joys and our sorrows, be with us today and always.  Remind us to reach out to you in times of happiness and in times of sadness.  Lord, you are holy!  Thank you for sending your son to die for us.  In Jesus holy name, Amen.