He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
Each holiday is special in its own way, but of them all, there is no other celebration like Easter. Easter is about resurrection of life, rebirth, hope, spring and every other good thing that comes along with it. As you prepare for your Sunday Easter celebration we encourage you to take a moment to self-reflect and remember as you celebrate!
Speaking of Easter and springtime, on Sunday, March 25th, Washington, D.C. held its annual opening ceremony for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Every year around March, thousands of people journey to D.C. to enjoy the festival. Having grown up in Northern Virginia, I’ve seen the trees in bloom. It is a beautiful breathtaking spectacle! While we often associate our capital with the dreary grind of politics, for a few weeks every year, the city becomes festooned with color.
The festival has a long and happy history. The trees were first donated in 1910 by the city of Tokyo as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. Unfortunately, the trees were infested with pests, forcing President Taft himself to order them burned. Undeterred, the Mayor of Tokyo donated three thousand new trees, which the First Lady, Helen Taft, helped plant on March 27, 1912. More trees were planted over the next decade, until in 1927, a group of children re-enacted the first planting. Historians consider this the first edition of the festival. A symbol of spring, rejuvenation, and friendship, the trees are some of the most beautiful possessions our nation has.
As a financial advisor, part of my job is to help people achieve the goals of their personal bucket list. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an event I’d recommend everyone add to theirs. Next year the festival will be held March 20 through April 14, with the parade on Saturday, April 13. Easter is the following Sunday, April 21. Maybe celebrate Easter a little early next year and take a trip to D.C.
Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
