Easter Sunday

This is definitely one of those days where being athiest isn't worth mentioning. I'm almost mad that I still have to celebrate this Christian holiday with my family and boyfriend's family, and I only celebrate it out of respect for those that I care about. Shouldn't it then be considered disrespectful on the part of my family because they don't acknowledge my LACK of faith? Of course, not everyone in my family is aware that I've denounced my religion, and it's not exactly something to brag about, as it is rarely taken as a light subject.

My dad made a big deal about seeing me today, and got upset that I didn't treat the day as he would. Last week, he said we had reservations at some restaurant at 2pm and a bunch of my other family members would be there too to celebrate Easter. First of all, this makes me mad because although he may have considered my beliefs before asking me to join them, he would have gotten mad if I rejected the offer. So I told him that since I got off work at 1pm, I would be able to make it down there to join them at 2. Fine. Now, my own beliefs tell me to respect every individual, as each person has their own will to follow whatever religion they want and do as they please. That's their perogative and none of my business. Well, the story changed when my dad called me Friday and told me the reservation had been pushed back to 1pm because my cousin has to have his kids to their mom by 3:30. My dad THEN asked me to get off work early so I could join them. Am I out of line to say that this was disrespectful? It's one thing to get out an hour early in the restaurant/office setting, and a completely different situation when you work in broadcasting. I can't just GET OUT early, as if I only have a certain amount of work to do before I'm allowed to leave. I'm forced to make sure shit doesn't blow up and stations don't go off the air. If they do for any amount of time, it could cost me my job. So still, am I out of line? So i said "No I can't just leave an hour early" and went on to explain why it's different for me than it is for him. And then he said "I didn't even know you worked on Sundays." I work EVERY Sunday, and I have worked every Sunday for about a year now. I usually talk to him on Sundays and I always tell him that I just got off work. WHERE THE HELL HAS HE BEEN? So he made a big deal out of it and told me that he would at least like to see me on Easter because it was such an important day to him. I told him that I could see him on any other day and it would be just as special as the last (and BTW- i thought this would be a touching addition.. it apparently was not). A holiday doesn't make seeing someone any more special. Well, he disagreed, and insisted on me at least stopping by to see him. Fine. OUT OF RESPECT FOR HIM, I will go see him. Why does a child have to show so much more respect for her parent when she doesn't come CLOSE to recieving the same amount in return? Where is the fairness in all of this? Shouldn't HE respect MY beliefs and accept that I don't have a particular reason to see him on the day celebrating the resurrection of his savior? Then he asked if I would be doing anything with Joey's family and I said "yes" as if he should have figured that much as well. See, my dad has a hard time believing that anyone has a life outside of his own. This may help you understand why this is difficult for me. Then he mentioned that my mom's family is getting together, but since I'm working he'll go ahead and tell them I won't be able to make it. LIE. I WILL be able to make it there and I never gave any indication that I couldn't. But denying HIS family get-together at a specified time ultimately translated into not being able to do anything with either side all day. Here is a perfect situation where I wish my mom was still alive... she would tell me that my dad is crazy and this is why she divorced him (man i loved my mom.. always had the right thing to say). She would also say that she would like me to join them, but would probably understand if I couldn't make it. Man I miss her.. But my mom's death aside, my dad pissed me off once again and I have to play nice all day in front of three different family settings. I hate the holidays.

Oh, and I found on Wiki how the Easter Egg thing came about. Before I typed any of this, I was fuming and needed more of an excuse to bad-mouth this commercialized day. Well, I lost some steam on the way and I'm not so angered by it anymore, but I'm sure a lot of people don't really know where the egg things came from. Well, according to Wikipedia "Traditionally, Easter eggs, hard-boiled eggs dyed bright red to symbolize the spilt Blood of Christ and the promise of eternal life, are cracked together to celebrate the opening of the Tomb of Christ." Now this makes sense, but where did the bunny come in? That I couldn't find, and it will remain a mystery to even the most devout Catholics. Try and solve that one, dad.