It was just five years ago last month. I had been asked to speak at the annual Founder's Week Conference at Covenant Village in Plantation, Florida. The invitation was a special one to me, for it meant sharing a week of ministry with my Dad, one of the chaplains on the staff at "the village."

As I concluded the Wednesday morning service and was shaking hands with people at the chapel door, Mom came by and simply said, "As soon as you get a chance, come over to the apartment." I nodded, assuming that she would have her usual coffee and cookies waiting for me. But as I walked into the apartment a few moments later, I could tell that something was wrong. Through their tears, my folks shared the news that my sister, Anne Marie, had just passed away.

The first of many visitors that morning was Chaplain Ed Johnson. It is always strange as a pastor to have someone minister to you. Yet Chaplain Eddie had a wonderful sense of sensitivity and compassion. I still remember the prayer he offered that morning as he had us join hands, "Father, remind Walter and Esther, and David, that even in times of loss, that they are 'Easter People!' "

"Easter People" . . . "People of the Resurrection" . . . "People of Hope" . . . "People of Life" . . . "People that can rejoice even in the midst of sorrow" . . . "People who know they have a Lord who lives!"

Edith Smith, another fine Christian, was an "Easter Person," too. Even though she was suffering from terminal cancer, all who came in contact with her were touched by her faith, her wacky sense of humor, and her vibrant love of life. One day her pastor came to visit her. As he was about to leave, Edith said she had a favor to ask of him.

"Pastor, when I'm gone and they're preparing my body for the funeral, I want you to make sure they put a fork in my right hand." Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Edith continued. "You know, a regular old dinner fork. You see, whenever we had a potluck supper at church, and we've finished all the casseroles and hot dishes, and we begin to clear the tables . . . Do you remember how someone always says, 'Be sure to save your forks!' . . . Well, whenever I hear that, I know that the best is about to come . . . That in a few minutes, we are going to be served some of Mrs. Anderson's fantastic apple pie, or some of Mrs. Green's delicious cherry cobbler, or Mrs. Taft's thick chocolate brownies topped with ice cream. When I'm gone, I want people to know that God's bests is still to come."

Several weeks later, Edith went to be with her Lord, a fork in her hand. Friends who came to her viewing were startled at first, but when they discovered its significance, they left with a new understanding of what it meant to be Easter People.

It was to Christians facing severe persecution that Peter wrote, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, He has given to us, a living hope through the resurrection of his son from the dead, and an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade." No matter what happens, Peter writes, just remember that we are Easter People. That is the hope we celebrate April 23!