Brigham City Day 2

I am so tired I almost couldn't rouse myself from my bed to walk downstairs and type this. But Taylor encouraged me to keep my commitment, and so here I am.

And I'm just too tired to download the pictures of the urns I took today. And the pictures of Louie the dog who was taken to the dog beauty salon today and has a cute little bandana on him.

I had a nice talk with my cousin today about control issues. Mainly mine. Who knew I was so tightly wound when it comes to control? Well, most of you, probably.

Remember last week when I wrote that I was wanting to be here to see the seasons and to help support my Mom and her friend? Well, tomorrow I am going to spend the whole day in court with them. We'll see how I'm doing after that. Also, my cousin Flower will be here tomorrow night and I can't wait to see her. I used to call her Mildred Olson. And I was Mildred Olson's Cousin Friend. Good memories.

Brigham City Day 1

Here's the link if you'd like to join in the fun for the 2nd Annual Cookie Roundup.
And who wouldn't want to join a cookie roundup?

My friends, I've had to fight for the computer time tonight. I love myself an Aunt Suzi and a big family, but what the heck is up with no wi-fi in Brigham City, Utah????
But here's the good news: Cousin Dorothy informed me today that there is a Starbucks in Brigham City now. But we don't know if it's open yet. What the heck?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
This could change my entire relationship with coming home to BC. Wow!

In other news, I got to go to the mortuary today and help edit programs, and talk about the upcoming memorial service. I got to kiss Grandma Joyce goodbye. And I got to go to the Urn room to go shopping. I'm not sure what is the best urn for you, but if you ever look for urns for me, please do not choose the Casino/ Gambling Urn. You think I'm joking, but I'm not. Kaleena is sitting next to me and she did an internship at the mortuary and she is confirming this. She knows I speak truth. Or at least am typing it. Words escape me. And then there were the stories of urns and ashes gone wrong. This experience was almost up there with the curling of the hair story, but it was a story for a future happy hour.

I am exhausted and need my rest. I'll try to get more computer time tomorrow. Cheers!

Grandma Joyce

Yesterday, my Grandma Joyce passed away. She was the type of grandma who was a rascal, and who had a spring in her step. She was loved, but it was time for her to go. I'm posting now, in the spirit of posting once a day, but I have to get on the road in order to get home and spend some time with my family this week. Thanks for all your support and best wishes, friends and family!

It's late at night, my friends, and I have to get up and drive to Brigham City, Utah tomorrow at 5 AM. I need my sleep. But I have committed to making 30 posts in 30 days, so I will sign this and then go to bed. Hopefully I'll have a chance to write again tomorrow, but for now, I'm asking for others to send me good karma to get across the wintry desert and mountains tomorrow on my pilgrimmage home. And my love to my family who's also on their way to Utah. I love them so much and can't wait to see you all. What memories lie ahead of us...I can't wait! If you're in Utah, keep the roads clear for me.

Sweet dreams, all!

Families are Forever

What a good-looking bunch! I'd try to label this picture, but I'm not sure I could keep track of everyone. However, if you can name everyone in this picture, then you know you're part of my family, especially if you aren't in the picture.

I've talked to my cousin Dorothy no fewer than 10 times tonight, because she's keeping vigil with my Grandma Joyce, and I'm trying to be there with her and with my Grandma on the phone since I'm 1000 miles away.  I got to talk to my Dad's cousin on the phone tonight for a few moments and realized that even though I've never called him and even though I've spoken to him exactly three times in the past 20 years, we still have a love and a bond that being a family creates. This week I heard from a cousin that I've only ever met once, and again, there was a bond between us because we're family.

And here's what I know for sure right now:

That families are forever. That in spite of spats, politics, quarrels, burnt dinners, and the messiness of life, my family will be there for me to love me, to laugh with me, to hold me up, to support me, and to help me. I know that we will all be there for each other whenever and however we need it. And heaven help you if you're adopted, related or married into this crew because we're going to be there for you too.

Dorothy and I were talking about why our family is so fiercely loving and what makes some of us come around more often than others. I'm not sure I know, though I'm pretty sure I used to think I knew. But the best part of my family is this: We're here for you, even when you're not here. We're ready to love you with big open arms and bossy mouths and lots of love whenever you do come around. And we're going to keep on doing this forever, because we don't just like you all- we love you all.

So I'm sending you all love tonight, family. I'm sending you each angels to surround you and keep your hearts and souls safe. I'm sending you all the blessing that you will each get exactly what you need right now. 

Sending out Angels and Love

I talked to my Mom and Dad tonight. I miss home a lot, and I wish I were there tonight to be with them, to go to the cousin reunion tomorrow, to feel the cold air and smell the fall leaves. I wish I could hug them and kiss them goodnight tonight and take away some of the sorrow and anguish from their hearts. And since I cannot be with them, I pray for angels to be above them, angels below them, angels on either side of them, angels to be in front of them, and in back of them. I pray for angels to surround their dear friends who have shown me and my family such unconditional love and support. I am sending them all the love and comfort to heal their wounds, especially since they are old ones with fresh surfaces. I love those families, and my heart is with them. 

But since I'm not going to make it to my hometown tonight to give my love and hugs I will send out a blessing to them through the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, and since I did talk to my dear friend Camille tonight, and she sounded like she lives at Chuck E. Cheese, and in spite of it all still finds time to share her thoughts and heart with me, I will send out the lyrics to one of the songs from her album when she was in the fabulous group, "Providence". I hope you won't sue me for using your lyrics here to send my loved ones a blessing of peace. If you ever have a chance to hear them sing this song, you will understand the deep emotions that go with this beautiful song, _Rest in You_:

Grace, this world's sweetest fragrance

Poured out at the highest cost

Like heaven's holy offer

Draws each weary woul unto the cross

I will rest in you

I will rest in you

Not just when this race is over

In these earthly moments too

I will rest in you

Hope, shining every moment

Like Eden's dawn upon the sea

Peace, like the gentle breezes

That brush the snowy flocks

On hills of green

Oh, great and gracious one

For all my days

For all you've done

You can check them out at: http://providencethegroup.com/

And for the record, Camille: I am always so proud of you. And I will always celebrate your joys and achievements. Thank you for being my friend all these years.

Seasons

Pumpkin Time!

I love different varieties of gourds! 

It's pretty safe to say that we're in the fall season here. The weather has changed, every once in awhile, you see trees with different colors. The poison ivy is a definite red and the daylight hours are few. I love seasonal changes. I was just getting tired of so many perfect days, lovely weather, lots of the same old, same old. Now, we've had some windy, blustery, rainy days and all I want to do is hurry home and get cozy with my family. I want to curl up on the couch and watch the palm trees sway with the wind gusts and read a book with a nice cup of tea.

Pretty soon, I'll long for a few pieces of pumpkin pie and then I'll tire of that and want to decorate with familiar things that make me think of cold, snowy days. (But of course, I'll get none of those here) And after that I'll get sick of being at home cooped up all the time and long for signs of life outside and go outside and find spring arriving. And just when I can't believe it, we'll hit the lazy days of summer. Summertime brings the long days filled with family, fun and a certain degree of boredom. And then I'll pine for the yummy smell of fresh notebooks and freshly sharpened pencils and the thrill of new school supplies and uniforms. And pretty soon it will be fall again and I'll start the cycle all over again.

The only part that is particularly difficult for me, is that the seasons here are very subtle. And summer days are filled with dense fog and sweaters. It is a little disconcerting to my seasonal soul, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

In the meantime, my mouth is beginning to water for some yummy sweet potato pie and stuffing. Mmmmm.