Wednesday: Sometimes it takes a bit of a miracle (Christmas miracle, Delta employees like to say) to get where you need to go. I had tried and failed to get on a flight to SLC a few weeks ago, but that was an optional trip. This trip was for real. When I saw that there were 12 seats open and I was # 17 I had to go to my "calm yourself, it's not over til the door closes" mode. And then they called my name and I became one thankful little traveler.
I arrived at the SLC airport to the usual family groups waiting to greet their returning missionaries. It gets me every time. Then, I grabbed a shuttle which was heading Provo way and was off. Sharing the shuttle with me was a very brave missionary starting his 2 year mission. He was the only active member of our church in his family, but he was determined to serve the Lord even without family support. I was inspired by his faith.
My youngest daughter has been at BYU since September, and I was happy to see her digs, meet her awesome roommates and relive some of the exciting, stressful, fun, overwhelming, fulfilling, heart breaking, victorious glory days of college life.
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| Back in the day you could run the diagonal and it looked like Brigham Young was doing the funky chicken. Now the sidewalk is parallel, and the illusion is lost. Sorry, cougars. |
We went to the bookstore, did some laundry, organized her clothes, and basically had a blast.
Thursday: Okay, do you know what I used to love to do in college? Play raquetball. Baby girl rounded up a racquet from a friend and we walked down to the RB for a game or two. I felt so nostalgic in those courts. (Paul and I had our first date there.) I remembered the squeaks and the smells and the fun.
And when we were done, I remembered the stairs. There is nothing more real than the stairs from the Richard's building up to campus. My calves were begging for mercy. They were not used to morning, million-stair climbing.
Then my daughter went to class and I met my cute son for lunch.
We ate delicious sandwiches at Gloria's downtown. The only problem was when he told me he was across the street from the Provo Temple, in actuality he was across the street from the Provo City temple.
Having two temples close to each other is never a problem, however. We'll just have to be more specific. Then we went for a quick shopping trip. This boy never buys clothes. I mean, his 5 year old jeans still stay on his body, and who would buy pants when they could buy concert tickets? But the Easter Bunny loves him.
With my boy safely delivered to work it was time to get back to campus. As I waited for my daughter in the library, I observed a sociology project where the awkwardness of a mismatched height couple was studied. It involved taking this picture of 2 strangers of differing height. I love BYU.
Then I saw a few of Rebecca's friends that I only know through my expert facebook stalking. It was tricky hiding my face of recognition while still staring and eavesdropping. It's a lot of work being this nosy.
Next was the wedding reception. It was held at Thanksgiving point in a beautiful venue in The Loft. One of my favorite experiences is walking into a designated place and finding my far flung family gathered together. I just love these people. We had pie and visited and then of course, we danced. I know I'm kind of old to be dancing, but I do it for the family unity, and I just kind of still like to. We created a circle and took turns initiating dance moves. Cousins, brother in laws, sisters and friends left their comfort zones and brought the fun.
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| Blair, Rebecca and Gwen |
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| Me, Heidi and Mary |
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| Miller cousins |
This is the same night my daughter caught her 6th wedding bouquet. She has proven that catching the bouquet does not determine who gets married next, (she caught her first one when she was 12) but does develop some excellent tracking the trajectory and positioning skills.
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| Beautiful bride, Abigail and lucky cousin, Rebecca |
Friday was the wedding. The temperature was a brisk 30 degrees. The wedding was lovely and the bride and groom were beautiful. They were some of the first to be married in the Provo City Temple.
Afterwards we gathered and visited and took pictures and complained about the weather and visited and took pictures. I actually had to tone down my complaining when I was reminded that it was a lot colder at my first daughter's December wedding a few years ago. Point taken.
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| Mom and Susie (the mother of the bride) |
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| Me, Mom, Susie and Mary |
Following the sealing was a groom's luncheon where we ate delicious soup (about 6 varieties) and engaged in more visiting, this time in the warm inside. We were then treated to some real cowboy poetry and music as provided by the groom's father and friend. The groom is from Wyoming and apparently that's how they roll there. I feel culturally enlightened. Since the reception was before the wedding the bridal send-off was from the luncheon. We had to stall the bride and groom while the get-away car was made ready, and our crowd contained mostly close family members, but the sentiment was warm and genuine.
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| Trevor and Amy's Emma |
Friday evening, the Easter Bunny took Rebecca shopping and we closed up the night with a delightful viewing of Zootopia. I dropped my daughter in BYU land and I headed to Springville to stay with Paul's brother and his awesome family.
Saturday: I woke up to icy windows and snow. I muttered over the inconvenience of doggedly persistent winter, overlooked the ice scraper that was in the car and made do with a dustpan from the garage that worked surprisingly well for scraping windows. I drove the 70 snowy and cold miles to Manti (I know I whine so much) to visit my parents. I walked into the quaint 120 yr. old house that my mother has decorated to be the perfect English cottage with her pink silk rose bouquets, lace and patchwork, camel back couch and crystal chandeliers. Classy radio was playing in the background and I felt that "coming home" warmth in my heart that always gives way to gratitude for my loving parents. Each time I am with them I am impressed with something different. This time, as my mother showed off her new bathroom, I observed that she had placed a little dresser with a table cloth and of course, a rose bouquet in an empty space that just wasn't beautiful enough. I recognized that no matter where they are, my parents improve. They improve their space, they garden, they decorate, create music, develop talents, solve problems. Their energy may wane, and their health may decline, but they will be forever progressing and making the world better. And since I am their child, I should do the same.
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| The bathroom |
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| Manti temple where Eliza was married |
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| View of the temple from Mom's porch |
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| Dad sitting under the lamp he created from natural wood from his property. |
After a wonderful afternoon I returned to the Provo area to gather for another mini family reunion hosted by Paul's brother and family. We were joined by Paul's sister and daughter. It's interesting how children grow even if I'm not there to watch them. We played a rousing game of spoons, which was new for Andrew's friend and ate Mexican food and BYU creamery ice cream. Another fun night.
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| John, Brianna, Stephanie, Rebecca, Olivia, Tylo, Barbara, Andrew, Mikayla |
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| spoons |
Easter Sunday: So on the day we celebrate the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I was able to worship in my daughter's ward (congregation). It couldn't have been a more perfect day for a mom. There were many beautiful musical numbers performed by talented college students. Baby girl had been asked to be a speaker and share a scripture and her testimony of the Savior. What a sweet gift from heaven to be listening to a child share her faith and conviction and love for her Redeemer.
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| Rebecca and roommates and friend |
We joined my brother and sweet family for Easter dinner. Played more fun games, ate lots of delicious food. shared great times with cute children, and a puppy and bunny, and then it was over.
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| The Miller girls |
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| Catch Phrase. The girls won. |
I woke up to more snow, and my brave sister-in-law drove me to the airport. I got on the plane without incident, a miracle to be sure, There was only the slight complication of needing 3 trucks to de-ice the plane, but I wasn't bothered, because I had had a fantastic week with so many loved ones. And besides, I landed in 70 degree GA sunshine. Life is good.
