Eggs, Easter, and Family Traditions: Cherished Memories of Spring Holidays

A South Dakota man reflects on the timeless rituals and joyful moments that defined Easter celebrations with his family over the decades.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:20am

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In this nostalgic piece, a fourth-generation South Dakotan shares his fondest memories of Easter traditions, from hiding eggs with his mother as a teenager to the annual family dinners centered around a baked ham. He recalls the rare treat of dining out at the local Pheasant Restaurant one year, as well as the ongoing tradition of coloring eggs, which he still enjoys today despite not always mastering the art. Through these recollections, the author explores how holiday customs shape our most cherished recollections of home and family.

Why it matters

This story taps into the universal human experience of how family traditions and shared rituals around holidays like Easter help forge lifelong memories and a sense of belonging. In an era when many are disconnected from their roots, the author's reflections on the enduring power of these customs to bring people together and foster a connection to the past resonates with readers seeking to rediscover or preserve their own family legacies.

The details

The author, Tom Lawrence, describes specific Easter traditions from his childhood in South Dakota, such as the annual ritual of hiding colored eggs with his mother, the family's traditional Easter dinner menu centered around ham, and the rare occasion when his father took the family to dine at the renowned Pheasant Restaurant in Brookings. He also shares his ongoing attempts to recreate the egg-coloring activities he enjoyed with his siblings, despite not always achieving the artistic results of his sister Mary.

  • In the author's early teens, he began helping his mother hide Easter eggs around the house.
  • In 1966, the family moved to a farm in Estelline, South Dakota.
  • In 1967, the family drove to the Pheasant Restaurant in Brookings for their Easter dinner due to muddy road conditions.
  • Over the past six decades, the author has continued to mark Easter in various ways, including attending church services and coloring eggs.

The players

Tom Lawrence

A fourth-generation South Dakotan who has written for several newspapers and websites over the past four decades, including The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, and The Daily Beast.

Mom

The author's mother, with whom he collaborated on hiding Easter eggs when he was a teenager.

Julie

One of the author's sisters who would search for the hidden Easter eggs.

Mary

One of the author's sisters who is more artistically skilled at decorating Easter eggs.

Vern

The author's brother, who would also receive new shirts for Easter along with the author.

Anita

One of the author's sisters, who also attempted to color Easter eggs over the years.

Dad

The author's father, who attended sunrise Easter services and served as a church elder and deacon.

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What they’re saying

“Easter floods me with memories of home, as do all holidays, I guess. The older I get — and I hope to continue that trend for quite some time — the more I vividly recall moments like that.”

— Tom Lawrence, Author

The takeaway

This story serves as a poignant reminder of how the simple, shared rituals and traditions of holidays like Easter can foster lifelong memories and a profound sense of connection to one's family and community. Even as the author's own traditions have evolved over the decades, his ability to vividly recall these cherished moments underscores the enduring power of these customs to shape our identities and experiences.