A time for family, reflection, celebration, new beginnings. Easter has a different flavor this year. Although being based in Dubai has its up side, one of the cons is being away from family during an occasion when family time defines the celebration. Thankfully some Easter surprises are still in store…
This Easter, not only are we away from family but the global COVID-19 pandemic has made it even harder to connect. I feel even further away than usual, despite the modern wonders of Skype. The weekend has come and gone, there are no official Easter holidays or celebrations here. Where we might otherwise mark the occasion with a special outing, a brunch or a celebration with friends but this year, gatherings are prohibited and we stay at home. Easter Sunday is officially a work day and a school day but we begin the morning with excitement as the Easter Bunny seems to have found us despite all the possible impediments.
It is even more surprising then, when, a ring of the doorbell can change that feeling of distance and disconnect to one of closeness, rejuvenating the feeling of family and celebration.
A van parked out the front, the driver states that he has a delivery and presents me with a box. It’s possibly the prettiest box I have ever seen and the surprise is considerable. Twelve perfect sets of little white and pink bunny ears peek out of clouds of fluffy butter cream topped with shiny balls of pastel colored sugary goodness. Easter has arrived on our doorstep from afar.
The surprise, arranged by my sister, brings smiles to our faces and gratitude to my heart. Suddenly from around the world, it feels like we are close again, her and her family sitting in Melbourne, Australia, as we sit half a world away in Dubai. I later find that we have been connected by degrees of separation – a friend of a friend has a cousin in Dubai that runs a baking business. Turns out the baking business is a Sweet Escape.
The Sweet Escape bakery, run by Sarah and based in Sharjah is clearly a passion turned into a business. These cupcakes, which my boys eagerly dive into, taste like homemade. They are rich and chocolaty, the generous icing tastes as light and sweet as it looks and those perfect little bunny ears melt on my tongue as the boys make satisfying crunches from the edible beads.
And funnily enough, this does feel like a sweet escape. It’s not just the delicious goodies either. I feel loved, cherished even. There is an intimacy to having been sent something so beautiful, so simple, from so far away. It wasn’t without issues* but the sentiment prevails and I do feel closer. We call to say ‘thank you’ as insubstantial as that my feel given the current gesture and we are connected from afar. Family returns to Easter celebrations, emotion creeps into my reflections and appreciation washes over me.
After all, it’s the thought that truly counts.
Good To Know*
Sarah usually delivers her own creations, however given the current restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, she was forced to use a courier service to make the delivery. There were some complications with communications and the delivery arrived a day late, and somewhat less of a surprise, although certainly no less delicious.
Would I Return?
Sarah from The Sweet Escape can be contacted through her Facebook page which also has photos of some of the other goodies that are available. Otherwise, she’ll turn your idea into an edible creation.
And thank you Shell.
^ Images from The Sweet Escape
