Nadie en el sepulcro.

It’s the Spanish translation of “no one in the tomb.”

It’s also part of a contemporary song the choir sings at church around Easter. The phrase sticks with me because I have learned in the last few months that really and truly, a seemingly bad situation can merely be one that forces us to see, recognize, and remember hope and joy.

The most recent Easter was different than the last few years. I was especially light hearted and happy as I walked into church. I felt optimism and hope like I hadn’t felt in a long time. This mass was going to be a little emotional. I could sense it.

Church attendance swells on holy days. It’s like that in every house of worship regardless of religion. I’m sure synagogues are crammed on High Holy Days.

So I arrived much earlier than I do normally to make sure I wasn’t relegated to the overflow seats outside the building’s main doors.

I went to my usual section of the church and because I was alone, it was easy to fit into one of my usual spaces along the pews.

To my left was a man I didn’t recognize but I greeted him warmly. He was perhaps in his mid 70s. We started sharing little observations.

“I like the harpist,” he said.

“She’s here on Easter, Christmas and sometimes on other holidays,” I replied.

“Are you a member of this parish?”

“Yes.”

“I’m a Methodist,” he chuckled. “I hope no one finds out. They’ll kick me out for sure.”

“No. We don’t do that!” I smiled. “What brings you to this church today?”

He pointed his thumb to the woman in her late 60s or so to his left.

“Her. My girlfriend,” he said.

“Oh that’s lovely. A nice Easter,” I smiled.

“We met two years ago at a grief group. I was a widower and she had just lost her husband.”

My ears filled a little with tears. Life does go on and presents love and hope at every turn.

That wasn’t the only reminder of hope and love I was going to see and hear.

The priest’s homily topic was that the resurrection of Jesus is not about entering an endless kingdom high above in the clouds. Nor is it about God’s forgiveness of sins and thus we all better remember that and feel guilty or something.

Easter represents Hope. And it’s a Hope that knows no religion. It doesn’t matter if you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or view the heavens in a metaphysical way.

It’s about rebirth.

One year ago, I felt trapped by myself. I assumed I was to live a certain way and work a certain way and have a romantic relationship a certain way. I know today this is not the case. My life is about love, people, adventure, and growth. It’s not about fitting a mould.

If you haven’t already your rebirth, know there’s one for you too. Just like the resurrection.

You can live again, but here on earth.