In the quiet of the early morning on this day in 2026, I was going through my memories on Facebook and found my Easter Weekend 2015 album in which I shared a special Easter story of the characters in this photograph. It was told from the characters’ perspectives. This morning, however, I remembered the actual story that brought this scene about. Pops had gotten me up at “O’Dark 30,” as he called it. He told me to get ready as quickly as possible and that we were heading out to the 24-hour Walmart in Redmond because he needed something for Easter Weekend right away. Little did I know it would be the stuffed rabbit and chicken. Fifteen minutes later, we were headed down the ridge in “Sherman” (his Suburban) to the Walmart. When we arrived, much to my surprise, employees were lined up waiting to greet us. I thought it a bit odd when they welcomed Pops by name, but within minutes, it became clear to me that he had pre-arranged the event. I followed them to the back of the store, where they paraded a bunch of stuffed animals for Easter in front of us. One of the clerks reminded Pops that any of them he wanted would be available at 60 percent off during our visit. He picked out the rabbits and chicken, then added some candy-filled plastic easter eggs, and we checked out. On the way back to the resort, he told me he wanted me to distribute the candy to the kids there.
As you can see from the photo, we created a special display in the basket of my electric trike, added a sign, and I rode along the creek, urging everyone to meet us down at the lake. It was one unforgettable Easter. Everyone had so much fun.