Ok the simple answer is we do not have one. We will not be running our regular program about the Haleigh Cummings case on Sunday. I know that we have many loyal listeners that tune in to the program, but it is Easter, and Jan and I are going to be taking a break.

I am not a particularly religious person, I tend to go to church for one of three reasons, marriages, births and deaths.

My ex Grammar School English master put it so well. I had not seen this character in 30 years, in fact when I knew him I disliked him with a passion. It transpired that once the English Grammar School system crumbled, he decided to become a ‘man of the cloth’. When I returned to England  I was amazed to discover that my nemesis from many years ago would be presiding over the funeral of my father.

I was asked about my religious life, and after some thought he said  “Ah a Stalk em, breed em, slab em kind of a guy”.

Yup, this was the guy that I knew and loved as a teenager (not). However we had both aged, I was facing 40, he was in his 70’s.

We did not have long to talk, but it was an interesting 20 minutes. He spoke not of ripping books apart (his favorite subject when I knew him) rather about the frailty of life.

Easter is a happy occasion to many, Families celebrate with candy, chocolate, and other goodies. But Easter is not about that. Easter is a time when death rather than life is prominent.

Maybe I am wrong. I am often wrong! Christianity very much fused Pagan ways into their teachings. There were celebrations for every major event. The major ones revolved around the Solstice and Equinox events. Easter does not fit in exactly into this scheme, the date varies from year to year, yet there are so many accepted ‘facts’ we treat them with reverence.

Gardeners have grown their seeds, the small plants are kept safe from the elements, Easter marks the date that gardeners in most of the US will take those small precious plants and move them outside.

Easter marks a time of death and resurrection. Christians mourn the death of Christ, and rejoice in his rebirth. Even for people that are not of the religious persuasion, it is  an important time. It marks when the dark days of winter are behind us, and summer approaches.

Both Jan and I wish everyone a Happy Easter.

Simon and Jan Barrett

A special note from Jan: I have to say Simon and I have a lot of differences in what we think of religion, but I am working on him, hoping I will succeed in getting him to change some of his thoughts. I don’t condemn him for the way he thinks because I firmly think that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I do want him to go to heaven with me when our time on earth is done, so I have to in good conscience try to work on him. To me Easter is a time to remind us of Jesus dying on the cross so our sins could be forgiven, which we call Good Friday and then to celebrate the joys of him rising from the dead three days after which is what we call Easter Sunday. I don’t agree that they keep changing the dates each year but the point is either way every year we are reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. God Bless you all!

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