Finders and Hiders

I’m supposed to say that my favorite part of Easter is the celebration. That it’s about life conquering death and redemption and a promise. And while that’s true, I’ll be honest and say there is competition.

The egg hunt.

The Easter egg hunt is becoming a tradition at our house, right up there with hoisting the tree at Christmas and shooting fireworks on July 4. It’s serious business that involves plenty in the way of preparation.

Each family member has his or her particular job. My wife is in charge of stuffing the eggs with assorted candies. The kids are in charge of finding the eggs and eating the candies. And me, I have the best job of all. I get to hide them.

For me, hiding eggs is an art. It’s much more involved than simply standing on the back deck and tossing them willy-nilly into the yard. I get creative. I make it a challenge. So while the first few will be out in the open to give the kids a little confidence and the illusion of easy pickings, the rest will take both ingenuity and a little elbow grease to find.

I’ll hide eggs in trees and shrubs. Under the shed. On top of the swing set. By the creek. I’ll hide them on the tops of my truck tires so they won’t see them and on the other side of the fence so they can’t reach them. Last year I even strung one around the neck of the neighbor’s dog.

There are some who may consider this as cruel and unusual rather than nice and ordinary. My kids would disagree. They love our Easter egg hunts because it’s so hard. Because it’s something they can’t complete on their own. Some eggs they can find. Others daddy has to help. I have to lift them up and point and hold the dog so he doesn’t slobber all over them while they lift the egg from around his neck.

“Found one!” my son will scream.

“Me too!” screams my daughter. And we’ll all gather around and marvel.

There is laughter and running. There is joy.

And that is also Easter to me—joy. The delight of the search and the pleasure in the looking.

I suppose that’s also why writers write and artists paint and draw and form. Because we see life as a big Easter egg hunt. We believe there is treasure to be found in places both likely and not, hidden among the things we see and use (and even pet) every day. Treasure that is often overlooked by those who would benefit from its finding.

So we stare and explore, both around us and within. We watch and listen and wonder. And when heaven smiles upon us and we stumble upon some great treasure, we will shout “Found one!” and invite everyone to gather around and marvel.

It’s isn’t easy, this treasure hunt. It can leave us tired and lonely at times, and at times we can get the sneaky sensation that we may never find anything worth sharing. It’s a challenge and one not for the faint of heart. Sometimes we need help finding. We need people to lift us up and point and keep certain things away. And sometimes we’re those people for others.

But in the end we are the ones people will look to. We are the minstrels who play a tune so others may dance. We are the applauding audience to life’s unfolding play. We are both the Hiders and the Finders.

That’s our job. Our calling.

Not to say “Look at me,” but “Look at this.”

 

Billy Coffey lives with his family in the mountains of Virginia. He is a fair Hider and a slightly better Finder. Much of what he finds can be found in his upcoming novel, Snow Day, and on his blog at billycoffey.com.

Comments

[Sarah Salter]

Let me take it a step farther... What about when God is able to hold us up and say, "Found one!" The Bible says that all of Heaven rejoices when one of us stops hiding and lets God find us. Great post, Billy! Great post!

[L.T. Elliot]

And this is what every one of your posts is like, Billy. Each one is a treasured marvel. I can see how hard you've searched for those eggs. I'm lucky I get the benefit of an 'easy' find.

[Miz Melly]

Love it Billy! That so encapsulates the creative process - beautiful!
Cáisc faoi shonas duit agus do do chlann freisin - Happy Easter to you and your family!

[Madison Richards]

Unearthing life's treasures is a privilege. It's one of the ways we partner with God in the act of creativity and say "yes" to that notion he's been stirring in our hearts. As the generations move through their paces our roles change from finder to hider to watcher, each with its part to play in the process. But as artists, a finder we must remain, and for that I am grateful. Creativity keeps the kid in all of us...

Great post Billy! So glad to have a you as a part of our community here!

[Jay]

No wonder I've had writer's blog. I didn't look around the neck of the neighbor's dog. Thanks Billy. Life should be better now.

[Barbara Frazier]

I once was lost but now I'm found! Praise God, Praise God! Oh, and I love your picture, very American.

[Jeanne Damoff]

Love this, Billy! What a great picture. May our lives and our art always declare, "Look at this"-- even (or maybe especially) when "this" is mystery beyond our grasp.

So delighted to have you here!

Jeanne

[Catherine Burns]

And then there are those that are hidden SO well that they are only found months later and bring much joy and laughter at unexpected moments.

Signed: Catherine, a stuffer since my hubby is the hider

[Megan Willome]

Your post makes me think of the women, on Easter morning, searching for Jesus, and He was not there. Then, Mary Magdalene got a big surprise, better than any chocolate bunny. But the similarities to seeking/finding are there.

Happy hunting!

[katdish]

I remember my son's first Easter egg hunt. He thought the object was that when you found one, you threw it up in the air as high as you could. Awesome. I think I'm a much better finder than I am a hider. I think you're pretty good at both.

Wonderful, as always Billy.

[mary aalgaard]

Great comparison! I also like being the hider. And, when the boys are looking, I like giving hints, and knowing the secret places.

[Sandra King]

I was going to talk about finding eggs in melting snowbanks weeks after Easter and stuff, but then I got stopped dead by this:

" . . . at times we can get the sneaky sensation that we may never find anything worth sharing."

I have that feeling a lot.

[Tina]

Love this and yes, sometimes we do need help with the finding. Happy Writing and Happy Easter.

[ELK]

I am happy to see you here Billy ...i had this happen today with a fence ...hider and finder...you just never know when it may happen blessings ELK

[Anne4JC]

Why Mr. Coffey, I think I may have to do Easter eggs this year.

And I think it quite fitting for you to be a part of a site called Master's Artist. You are that indeed.

[Michael Snyder]

Good stuff, Billy. You got me all excited about our big annual Easter egg hunt, until you made me remember the all-consuming smell of vinegar. I supposed I'll need to forgive you for that, but it won't be easy...