AUSTIN, Texas In the heart of Texas, a cherished Easter tradition embodies the deep connections between generations, as evidenced by the heartfelt story of Denise Solis and her mother, Rosemary Valdez. In 2003, as Valdez faced the final stages of stomach cancer and entered hospice care, the impending holiday of Easter brought a poignant sense of nostalgia and unity. This was a time-honored period when mother and daughter would collaboratively create colorful Easter baskets filled with cascarones vibrant, confetti-filled eggs that are a staple of Texan Easter celebrations.

Denise Solis recalls those significant days, stating, She couldnt do a lot of things at that point, but she could fill eggs with confetti. This simple yet meaningful act became a vital way for them to share moments of joy during a difficult time. Cascarones, which are primarily popular in Texas and Northern Mexico, are not just festive decorations; they are an integral part of the Easter experience. On Easter Sunday, children joyfully hunt for these special eggs and gleefully crack them open over each others heads, showering everyone in a burst of colorful confetti.

In those bittersweet final weeks, Solis devoted herself to spending precious time with her mother, meticulously preparing the cascarones by emptying eggshells and filling them with bright, cheerful confetti. Unfortunately, Valdez passed away at the tender age of 52, just one day before Easter. However, Solis found the strength to honor her mothers memory by delivering the beautifully crafted Easter baskets to her cousins the very next day, a touching tribute filled with a heartfelt gift from Valdez.

I remember us chasing each other around the backyard and breaking the cascarones over each others heads, and just thinking how special that was, Solis reminisces, highlighting the joy and connection that the tradition fostered.

Fast forward to the present, Solis is now passing this beloved tradition to her own child, her 4-year-old son, Noah. In preparation for Easter, Solis has taken the time to continue the ritual that she once shared with her mother. Over the past few weeks, she carefully punctures the tops of eggshells, empties their contents, and then cleans and decorates the shells with vibrant dyes. Once they are dry, she fills them with shimmering confetti and seals them with tissue paper and glue.

The symbolic significance of the egg is profound. According to Norma Cantu, a Humanities Professor at Trinity University in San Antonio who also grew up enjoying cascarones in Laredo, Texas, The egg is a symbol for that opening up, for that entrance to a new life. This symbolism stems from ancient traditions in pre-Christian Europe, where eggs represented fertility and rebirth, ideas that were later embraced by Easter celebrations. Cantu reflects, And thats what Easter is its the celebration of the resurrection.

Scholars trace the roots of cascarones in Texas back to when the state was part of Mexico, illustrating how these cultural practices have transcended time and continue to resonate in contemporary festivities.

For Solis, the act of crafting cascarones is much more than a tradition; it is a profound connection to her past, a vibrant thread linking her to her mother, and something she is overjoyed to pass down to her son. On Easter, Solis and her husband hide the cascarones throughout their backyard, eagerly awaiting the excitement of Noah and his friends as they search for these colorful treasures. The air fills with laughter and shouts of delight as the children joyfully crack the eggs, transforming the yard into a kaleidoscope of flying confetti.

As Solis observes this joyful scene unfold, she is flooded with memories of her own mother. She was always showering us with love and care and wanting us to feel special and have fun, Solis reflects. Seeing the confetti flying in the air, I just felt the love. In this way, the tradition not only celebrates Easter but also serves as a poignant reminder of familial bonds and the enduring legacy of love.