by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Sr. M. Jutta from Pixabay.)
Today, the Saturday before Easter, I planted wildflower seeds.
And it occurred to me, as we approach Easter 2026, just how many people, all over the world, are planting “seeds” of hope, inspiration and kindness.
“Operation Easter Basket” constructed baskets await delivery, Easter week 2019.
A quick check of Justin Rudd’s Facebook page shows smiling second-graders around a sign that says, “Thanks Justin”. This year, Justin and his nonprofit Community Action Team assembled 2,590 Easter baskets for underprivileged youth at their 22nd annual Operation Easter Basket, in Long Beach.
That’s almost 200 more baskets than their specified goal for 2026, of 2,400. Every spring, Justin and his team host an assembly day at Bay Shore Community Church. Everyone is invited to donate baskets or supplies, and locals can volunteer to help put the baskets together and “basket brigade” them out to vehicles from local nonprofits, which will distribute them to their young “clients” on Easter Sunday.
In the process, they’re “seeding” community involvement, compassion and gratitude.
(Photograph courtesy of NASA/Aubrey Gemignani.)
Optimism for the Universe
This past Wednesday, the world held its breath as Artemis II roared off the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. We prayed the astronauts would have a safe launch and a fantastic journey.
And the communications back from Orion, so far, have been incredible, imaginative and fun as well as opening a portal to a future where space travel may be an everyday occurrence. (Here is a link from NASA–and no, I am not, in any way, shape or form, affilated with nor endorsed by them! But this link shows live updates of where Orion is right now, in their exciting mission, as they “plant” the seeds of future missions.)
Hope and Creativity
And, what happens next Wednesday?
Multitalented artist/creative mentor Nicole Stevenson and her team host “Craftcation”, in Ventura!
This is an annual five-day conference/retreat, in Ventura. Craftcation Conference features more than 200 artists, with crafts workshops, panels, personal growth sessions and special events.
Apparently, they still have tickets available, if you’re free next week and can attend.
(Royalty-free image by Nicoletta Zanella from Pixabay.)
If you cannot, Nicole also hosts “Crafty Hour” on Zoom, free, every month, and you’re invited to sign up for Craftcation’s newsletter, as well as waitlist for CAMP, which is a six-week online goal-getting bootcamp for creatives!
But right now, you can also download Nicole’s free “goal-getting roadmap” for creatives, which you’ll find on her website.
And, of course, Nicole is the co-founder of Patchwork Show Modern Makers Festival, which kicks off its season of spring shows with an appearance in Tustin in May.
Nicole and her community are great at “seeding” encouragement for makers–and for cultivating inspiration for new small businesses.
With all the headlines we’re seeing today, it’s easy to fall into a negative mindset. But there will always be those who steadfastly see the best for our future and move forward in optimism, compassion and hope.
(Royalty-free image by Nowaja from Pixabay.)
Meanwhile, as I planted my California poppies, blue flax and gaillardia, my mind went back to the colors of Eastertime in my memory.
The blue and purple of hydrangeas…the yellow of daffodils…the bright-red tulips raising their heads on Easter morning.
And of course the pink dogwood my mother loved, and the lilacs outlined against a robins’-egg blue sky, just after sunrise.
A very Happy Easter, 2026! May it be full of the colors of hope, inspiration and compassion.