Spring Break(Marla) I was in my first year of teaching. It was nearly Easter, and I decided it would be fun to fly to my parent’s home as a surprise and spend a few days with them. My sister, who lived only an hour and a half away from them, was more than willing to help me with the plan.

After some discussion, we chose to do something memorable. She would pick me up from the airport. She’d ask my parents to meet her and her boyfriend for dinner, and I would show up at the restaurant…in costume. I’d show them some cutesy message on posterboard before revealing who I was. The costume needed to fully cover me, though, and that dear sister of mine claimed that the only one that she could find to rent was that of an Easter bunny. I argued. She insisted. She’s older. She won.

The evening arrived. Things went according to plan, with the added (and unintended) benefit that my parents thought that my sister was going to announce that she was engaged. They continued to believe this even when they saw an Easter bunny walking toward their table. But then the bunny stopped at their table and held up the message, piece by piece. (We had written a poem on about four pieces.) It was strange to be within feet of my parents and know that they had no idea. I was nervous - the costume was very hot, and I was painfully aware that other people in the restaurant had also noticed that there was an Easter bunny present. The costume offered very limited vision, but I could feel the eyes of onlookers. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that two of those eyes belonged to a little girl who wasn’t far from our table.

Why does that matter? Well, because at the end of the message, I removed the head of the costume to reveal to my parents who I was. And when I removed the head, my mom’s breath caught in happy surprise. This was the expected reaction, and my sister and I were glad for it. We could not, however, thoroughly enjoy it, because at that same moment, the little girl let out a terrified scream. A giant bunny suddenly removing its head wasn't something that she was prepared to see. I hope that she has recovered!

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