Easy, Breezy, and Fun!

We're back from our jaunt to Utah, and I'm delighted to say that none of my fears were realized, but all of my hopes were.! Staying with my sister Julie and family is always a treat for us (maybe not for them), but they somehow give the distinct impression that they like us as much as we like (love) them. Thank you, you big, beautiful Baird family! I want the recipe for Julie's zucchini soup, which tasted like potato soup, deftly hiding the macerated zucchini within its rich and creamy depths. We got to meet the newest addition to their family, little Zonie Rebecca Jackson, too! Born on July 19th, and named after her great great grandmother, she is amazingly strong, one of the features by which her honored ancestor is remembered. Baby Zonie's head and back didn't seem to need the support one would expect of a neonate, and her little feet felt ready to carry her through the active lifestyle of running, hiking, and biking that her parents pursue. Julie and I found time for a little shopping, and we topped it all off by a French toast breakfast prepared by Seth this morning, and enjoyed while listening to the happy bluegrass banjo-picking sounds of Yonder Mountains String Band. Lonnie continues to take his chemo kickin' and keep on tickin'! On chemo weeks, he tires quickly, but rises early and goes to work as usual. With just one more round of chemo to go, we pray for his platelets to rebound and for the cancer to disappear forever!

Well, I knew that part of the trip would be great, but I was worried about how the rest of it would go. It went swimmingly! Kimball came up with the idea of having Dan and me ride down to Fish Lake, about a three-hour drive, with his family, and what a golden opportunity to get better acquainted with Jaxon, Kade, and Sophia that turned out to be! The boys regaled us with story and song, with two-and-a-half-year-old Sophia joining in on her favorite parts. They are so very relaxed and well-behaved, knowledgeable, and just plain fun to be with. Our niece Christine, Kimball's first cousin, and the children's first cousin once removed, took some pictures that I can hardly wait to receive and share here. She's still vacationing in Utah though, and won't be back home to Texas for a few days, so it may be awhile before the pictures find their way to me.

The reunion itself was inspiring. It has ignited the idea of holding a Tyrus Washburn gathering next year, possibly at a park in Provo or Monroe. This reunion was for the descendants of Jesse and Christiane Olsen Washburn, but their son, Dan's dad, Tyrus's posterity made up over half of those in attendance. I think Tyrus had eight siblings, and one of them was even present, his 95-year-old brother Clayton, and his wife Lenny. (I'm just guessing at the spelling of Lenny's name.) Dan's brother Alan's family reunion was being held in conjunction with Jesse's, and consequently, they had a great turnout. We were happy to be able to visit with five out of Alan and Linda's nine children. Jonathan batted around the idea of the Ty Washburn reunion; Kaye busily solicited contributions to a Ty and Miriam Washburn family history book; little great nieces passed around their own books for collecting their relatives' autographs; major water fights were waged; Cindy's new little one, Graham, was introduced; conversation, hugs and laughter were shared. I am so glad I didn't listen to my worries as I've sometimes done in the past, and that Dan and I made the sacrifice to be a part of it all. For those unable to attend, we love you bunches, and hope to see you next time!

Family Reunion Whine Time

Dan and I are going to one this week. We don't yet know the exact time or location, just the date, but hopefully, we'll find out before it's time to leave. It's always so much easier to go to a reunion for your own side of the family. Kudos to Dan for attending mine with me, and kudos to me for going to his! I feel close to his siblings and their children, but nervous about the other relatives. Our main motivation for traveling is the chance to be in the company of three of our faraway grandkids, Jaxon, Kade, and Sophia. An extra bonus is that I'll get to see my sister, Julie, while we're at it.

Greg and I were just saying last night how hard it is to believe that our all-time best Dan Washburn family reunion, held at Bear Lake, was just two short years ago. So much has happened since then. Mostly bad, sad stuff. That's one of the reasons we really make an effort now to enjoy the small moments and downplay the drama that so many get hung up on these days. We just don't have the time or interest in that kind of stuff anymore. Life can be so much better than the he-said-she-said typ of entanglements. At least, that's our goal. We don't always manage to stay out of the fray, but we're trying! Which brings me to the topic I promised to tackle in a previous post, that of what does forgiveness really mean.

The answer is: I don't know! Some ecclesiastical leaders I trust say that it means to completely forget an offense. Here's my dilemma with that though. Let's say someone intentionally hurts you, and you forgive them. This pattern continues for several years, with each hurt cutting a little more deeply than the last. It seems wisest to me to remember the pattern, and to remove yourself from their strike zone, to minimize the risk of further damage at their hands. At the same time, you continue to pray for them, to be concerned for their welfare, to hope for the best for them, but you leave it between them and God. Isn't that forgiveness too? I hope it is, because that's all I've been able to come up with thusfar. However, any insights are welcome.

Grandma Got Run Over by the Buffalo!

On the 18th of this month, I turned 58 years old. I love it, love it! When I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia back in March of 2006, then found out that I had one of the more active types of CLL, I wasn't sure I'd make it this far. But I have, and I'm going strong! I've got another check up with the hematologist/oncologist next month and I don't anticipate any change in my status. I finished chemo two years ago, and I'm hoping to continue to avoid further treatment for a long time to come.

I had fun this year, choosing my own birthday gifts. I went totally pioneer! Dan gave me my first ever lesson in log cabin construction tonight. I had dreams of becoming quite the builder, but it looks like I'll be sticking with making pioneer food, telling pioneer stories, and singing (and yodeling) pioneer songs. The Tumbletree Timbers set says for three years and up, but I'm just too young at heart for it. I'm a hands-on kind of builder, and the somewhat wobbly logs don't seem to be the touchie-feelie type. Aw well, maybe the grandkids'll be able to get play value out of them. As far as that goes, it's all about them, all of the time, anyway! Even though we don't get to see each other nearly often enough, a big part of my heart belongs to Jaxon, Kaden, Victoria, Brooklyn, Julianna, Lilly, Christian, Sophia, and a new little one to be born in less than a month, as well as all the others who are still waiting for their turn on earth. Grand pa Dan and I would cross the plains, ford the rivers, climb the mountains, just like the pioneers of old did, for you.

Happy Birthday, Becky, Jamie, Jimmy

I'm about a month late in my birthday wishes for Jamie and Jim, but I am right on time for Becky's. Happy birthday to each of you! Becky's in India, Jamie's in FL, and Jimmy's in Heaven. To celebrate, I thought it'd be fun to turn back the hands of time to one of our favorite childhood pastimes. Sorry folks, I forgot the popcorrn. But we were more likely to have popsicles back then on those hot summer afternoons anyway.

High On The Mountain Top

Ethan, Colin, Shane, and Bonnie.

Stars and Stripes Forever

Thank you, John Philip Sousa! What a great march to accompany our Fourth of July celebration! Grandpa Dan made patriotic floats for Tori, Juli, and Christian to carry in our very own parade, and this was the march we chose for the grand event. The soaring piccolo obligato always reminds me of Dan's mother, Miriam, who took great pride in having played that part in her high school band. I had visions of all of us doting spectators singing along with the music, but mercy! I couldn't find a way to fit in all the syllables, and no one minded a bit. We were kept plenty busy just cheering on the little marchers. Penny brought glowsticks and a necklace making craft for the kids, and after dinner, the guys bided their time watching soccer until it was dark enough for fireworks. They earned a little well-deserved chill time after laying sod at Neil and Penny's house the previous day. Brothers Greg, Neil, and Shane, real men at work.