Editorial: Easter In Cayman 2021

By Flynn Bush

As you probably know, I have been privileged to write an Easter article for this publication for some eight years now. It is a message of reflection upon our customs and traditions, here in Cayman, during this time of the year. It is also a call for us all to pause and consider how those same traditions have helped to shape us and mold us into the nation of law-abiding, God-fearing people that we are; as a whole. Of course, when I sat down to write this year’s article, I couldn’t help but think back to just twelve months ago when I was at my writing table.

March 2020 brought with it some things no one could have foreseen; a pandemic and total lockdown. We as a nation were in the midst of a frightening time; an uncertain time. We were confined to our homes, prohibited from visiting loved ones, and unable to attend school or work. And of course, we were unable to gather together for worship. That it happened during Easter time added insult to injury as well.

Those facts put a severe twist on our lives and upon our plans. Gone was the ability to carry out our traditions for the Easter. There were no tents set up on the shoreline; no large family dinners with tons of food; and no worshippers dressed in their Sunday-best filing into churches across the three islands. The whole situation felt alien. To put it succinctly, it was surreal.

Now, the earth has made another revolution of the sun and we are back to the Easter season once again. I, for one, am thankful that we are in a different reality than last year. Due to the grace of God, we are in a quite unique situation compared to other countries in the region and even the world. We have a sense of normalcy and have had it for some time now. Even the restrictions that remain are only minimal hindrances to our way of life. So, in 2021, we can once again carry out our traditions and customs from years gone by.

The churches will be full, and so will the beaches. We will be turning our focus to things that are important to us like family, friends, and faith. Everywhere across these three islands, there will be a return, at least in some part, to the usual celebration of Easter for all of us. In a sense, we have gotten our “us” back. The piece of our lives, during this season, that had been missing has been restored; and we are whole again.

The saying goes, “You don’t know what you have, until it’s gone.” Well, now is an apt time to heed that warning. We, as Caymanians, have been celebrating Easter for generations and generations, and our customs have been thoroughly honed and practiced. Yet, a mere twelve months ago, we lost that part of us. It behooves us to recall that the death and resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ, is why we celebrate Easter in the first place. Furthermore, with what last year was like, and how it still is in other countries now, we should realize that God has blessed this country immensely. May we forever be grateful for our blessings.