Whirlwind Weekend

I woke up at 4AM Saturday, gave Brenna a quick kiss, ate a quick bowl of cereal (gotta have my breakfast!), loaded my two small carry-ons into Roscoe and headed for the airport. Uneventful drive--I took I-25 to I-270 to I-70 to Pena Blvd and Pike's Peak parking lot. I listened to the NPR classical music station all the way. Parked at Pike's Peak and hopped on the shuttle bus just as it was about to leave the parking lot. One of life's little pleasures--catching the bus at just the right time!

By 5:10 I was standing in a short security line, listening to my iPod and feeling good about things. I noticed the "Clear" security lanes with the flyclear.com website being advertised. I never saw anyone actually use the Clear lane, but I thought what a time saver it would be if you traveled frequently. Then I thought, if you traveled that frequently you're probably already an elite member of some airline and you're allowed to use the security lane for "important" travelers anyway. So, I'm not sure how many people actually use Clear. Anyone have experience?

At any rate, I rumbled right on through security--even was waived to a completely open x-ray line that other travelers had simply overlooked. You just can't beat that. I headed down the escalator (side note: why are we Americans so useless at escalator etiquette? Stand on the right, walk on the left--Europeans do this flawlessly. But not the States. Oh no, we must stand so that we take up as much of the escalator width as possible ensuring that someone who is in a hurry or simply doesn't like to perpetuate the inactive culture must wait in an exasperated heap until the escalator arrives at its destination. Yes, I spend too much time worrying about these things.) and waited for the train to take me to Terminal C. Jaunty little tune accompanying the arrival and departure of the train. Far better than the tune they used to have.

I got to my gate and found a spot to sit where I could read the morning paper and pass the 20 minutes or so until boarding. Leisurely review of the sports page (with an all-too-brief recap of the unbelievable Turkey/Croatia Euro 2008 quarterfinal game--stunning in every respect) with a bit of dabbling at the Main Section and a half-hearted attempt at the crossword. Plane boarding soon began, and I settled into my seat by the window and promptly learned there were mechanical problems and we were delayed 1/2 hour or so. Not a big deal, but seriously. This was a 6:10 AM flight. It's not like the plane had just arrived from somewhere else and been jostled for its efforts. No, this plane had been sitting overnight--shouldn't they have figured out the mechanical problem at that point? Again, an extremely minor inconvenience, but I just don't understand how it works.

Flight was completely uneventful--I slept right through it, waking up with only a slight kink in my neck. Not bad for a 70 or so minute snooze. Arrived in SLC and headed for the exit all the while hopefully scanning the faces for someone I might recognize. Am I the only one who does that? I mean, I've just arrived back "home," and I know plenty of Utahns, so I'm bound to run into an old friend or acquaintance sometime in the SLC airport, right? Well, nothing of the kind this time around--just out to passenger pick up after calling mom on the cell. Mom and Dad were there in the F250 in short order and off we went. I-215 to Redwood Road, then up Winchester to 7th West and home. Wow. The place gets more amazing every time I see it--the yard had been inundated with larkspur, and it was beautiful. So much shade from the trees, with quail and hummingbirds providing some animal life to the nature scene. Well done, mom and dad, for keeping your little oasis going.

Ron and Jeanne were there though Erin, Matthew and Jordan had opted to stay in Provo with Rebecca and Davis. I had to work very hard to not be offended! We all enjoyed some lovely banter over a breakfast of German Pancakes, for which mom had misplaced her recipe. When was the last time my mom did that? I ran through the ingredients with her, and Jeanne told her what temp to cook it at and we were good to go. Mom whipped it up and we were eating like kings with light syrup only 20 minutes later.

Jeanne then had to make a run to the store to find some black nylons and she went out with attitude (wearing a t-shirt and skirt and firmly declaring that she didn't care if it looked silly). Good for her, I say!

Ron and I had a thoroughly enjoyable chat about Euro 2008--great, great soccer for those who haven't been following and soon enough it was time for Ron & Jeanne to head down to Highland/Alpine to help finish setting up for the reception. I retired to the basement to gather my thoughts and try to write something meaningful in a card for Heidi and Isaac. What a fine pair they are, and how happy I am for them and their marriage.

As a guy I have taken the liberty of not buying wedding gifts. Basically, I'm just too lazy, but I also enjoy simply writing a check knowing that the couple will be able to do whatever they choose with the money. So, skewer me for it if you like, but I just show up to weddings with a card and a check and it's worked well for me. I am grateful for those people, though, who do go to the extra effort of making the trip to the store and purchasing something tangible. It would be tough as newlyweds to have to go out and buy everything you needed--could be fun, but that would be a lot of shopping!

Well, I penned a note in the card, sealed it up and put it with my suit. I handed my iPod over to Dad so he could watch a Foghorn Leghorn cartoon, and that made me smile. What cool technology we have, and here I am years later enjoying Foghorn Leghorn and thinking of my dad when I do. I had to let him see it on the iPod! I then sat in the red room and leafed through a photo album my mom has kept of my life. Quite remarkable to look back on pictures of my son at one year and see how much my niece Lauren's son, Barrett, looks like him. Barrett has bit more heft going for him (all of our children have been exceedingly lean), but their facial features have remarkable similarities. Loved seeing my grade school pictures and looking at pictures of some of the classes I was in--Mr. Gray, fifth grade with Jeremy Taeoalii, Scott Burbidge, Steve Rasband, Dane Reid and others--including the heartthrob Heidi Jensen, though none of the boys wanted to admit it. I also saw a picture of a simply incredible basketball team--maybe third grade or so--Dave Hooper, Jeremy Taeoalii, Chad Christensen, me, Christian Matsumori, Scott Hamblin and Tyler Bloxham--coached by Bob Hooper and Mike Christensen. Cool! What good times we had.

Anyhow, what a flood of memories. Thanks, mom, for keeping all of that stuff together for me. Aren't good parents the greatest blessing in the world?

I soon had to get up and don my suit. We hopped in mom and dad's car and headed to Linda's to pick her up. Lovely strawberries in the Townes front yard. I wish ours were doing so well, but the birds seem to be getting at ours--similar problem voiced by my dad.

Linda and I settled into the backseat and carried on a lovely conversation the entire trip down to the Mt Timpanogos temple. I don't have a clue what all the topics of conversation were, but I do recall there was a lot of laughter, cheer and good times. I also specifically recall a reference to Cumet de Fois (Kewmit de Fwog) that threw Linda for a loop. Not sure why it was so funny to us, but that is the nature of a brother/sister relationship. Also, the point that I have not lived in Utah for almost 10 years now was pointedly driven home by my shock at the number of chapels seen during the section of the drive from I-15 to the temple. Seriously, at one point I thought there were more chapels than houses. The Mormon contingent (I threw that word in here just for Paul Jensen if he's reading!) of the population in that area is something to behold. Whew!

At length we arrived at the temple and headed for the sealing room. So good to see Kelsey, Davis, Rebecca, and other family members. Heidi and Isaac arrived in the sealing room several minutes after the rest of us, and they looked fantastic. What a beautiful bride was my niece. I am so proud of her for all that she is and will be. I'm certain this couple is headed for great things. I won't go into much detail about the ceremony, but suffice to say that the sealer, who was also the temple president, did a simply beautiful job of bringing in the spirit and ensuring we all understood the beauty and importance of marriage. Tears came to my eyes as I contemplated my own family and pondered how my life and priorities have changed in the 11 years Brenna and I have been married. Such a wonderful thing to be reminded of the reality and grandeur of the eternal family. Thanks to Heidi and Isaac for the invite and the opportunity to be involved in their wedding and to be reminded of my own at the same time. I love going to temple weddings--they are so beautifully simple.

Lots of pictures, lots of heat and plenty more laughs as we were joined outside the temple by Erin, Matthew and Jordan. We wish Sara and Derek had been able to be there as well, but we're glad they are where they are--after all, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God and nothing can take precedence over sharing the gospel when the time comes.

Another brief anecdote from childhood upon which Linda and I reminisced a bit. When Beth and Linda were still home and I was a pre-teen they enjoyed calling me Gomer. I guess it was kind of the insult du jour in high school those days (or maybe just for the two of them). Anyhow, one day they were folding laundry and taking the stacks to the appropriate rooms and Beth pointed to my stack of laundry and asked Linda, "Is this Gomer's pile?" They both burst out laughing hysterically, and though used to being called Gomer, the added amusement gained from the pile appendage was a mystery to me. After wiping tears of laughter from their eyes they were actually kind enough to inform me of the origins of Gomer and his last name being Pyle. Beth had made a funny without meaning to, and it tickled them to no end. So, there you have it--a brief glimpse into the arduous life I lived as the younger brother of five sisters! ;-)

Well, on to the wedding dinner and reception. They were both held at Isaac's grandfather's house in Highland (or was it Alpine--I'm not straight on that). The property was great--a creek running through the back, plenty of green lawn, trees and flowers. There was also a well situated basketball hoop, but I maintained a slight sense of decorum and managed to control the urge to find a ball. Nelson, Carmen, Jordan, Trent, Ed, Riley and Lennon were soon in the fold along with the previously mentioned family members. Feasting, speechifying, hysterical laughing over a scene from the animated "Babar the Elephant" movie and many other experiences too numerous to mention. I soaked it all in and enjoyed every moment. Davis and Rebecca even made plans to come to Denver this week for a little vacation. Whoopee! More family whose company we can enjoy.

Well, we finally had to make an end and I headed home in the Townes' van with Trent also included. Trent is now a hi-up specialist. This means that he washes windows on tall buildings. We all liked the idea of having a title like hi-up specialist and we eagerly await reports from Trent to know how working with such a lofty title plays out in actuality.

I don't really recall what time they dropped me off at mom and dad's, but it wasn't too late. Mom asked if I needed any food, to which I responded in the negative. Heidi and Isaac had provided a sumptuous feast that was still keeping me going. I chatted with mom and dad for a bit, but they were soon ready for bed. I stayed up just a bit longer to leaf through the albums some more, and then I retired to the blue room--my room growing up--for a night's rest. I no longer sleep with the door closed completely because I am no longer used to sleeping in the pitch dark. In high school my friends and I called my room the dungeon because there are no windows and when the light is turned off and the door is closed you can't see your own hand in front of your face. Well, I'm no longer conditioned for that so the door was left open for "visionary" purposes. I would have perished at such a thought when I was in high school.

My dad's footsteps on the stairs woke me at 6 the next morning just as planned. A quick breakfast and then back to the airport for the return flight home. The return flight had the added bonus of Nelson and Carmen being aboard as well. We hung out at the gate, I slept on the flight and then we took the bus back to Pike's Peak lot where we found Roscoe ready and waiting. The old boy got us home in short order where I was reunited with those I love most! A quick change into my suit (I wore shorts and a short-sleeve shirt on the plane) and then off to church.

Yes, a whirlwind weekend that was enjoyable in every sense of the word. Thank you, dear family, for the love we share. Thank you, Heidi and Isaac, for getting married and continuing to set an example that my children can look up to. It's a good life!