And now... Deep Thoughts....

I've been thinking about things that I would like to document. So the following is a jumble of thoughts or experiences:

I loved Larry Esplin's funeral. Everything from the pine casket with flannel lining to the juniper and his hat worked into the casket spray. I loved the talks and I remember thinking I wished it would just go on and on. All of the fun stories about Larry's life were amazing and it is so fun to watch my nephews and my brother-in-law retell those stories with pride. Tim's talk was amazing. I was so touched by him talking about how much he wanted to be like his father and all the things he did, like joining the military, to try and be like him. In the end Tim realized that what he loved about his father couldn't be acheived by just experiences in life, but they were core parts of his personality. I recognize that it has been a while since the funeral and I am not quoting Tim very well, but hopefully I can still make the point. As I listened to Tim, I thought about how much he had changed since I had first met him and I could see him becoming more and more like what he admired in his father. It was truly beautiful.

What a great family those Esplins are! They have been so good to me. After that fateful day in Blanding, sitting at the kitchen table... I mentioned how excited I was to see everyone coming home for Thanksgiving and Donna "mentioned" how much she disliked the idea. Whenever we all got together we all just sat around and talked instead of helping and she ended up doing all of the work. She probably had a point but I felt like she had just thrown a bucket of cold water in my face. I told her not to worry about it and I would let everyone know they weren't welcome. From that day on, I tried not to ever go home for any holidays. Since I was single, I really didn't know what to do. Susan and Richard filled right in and I spent every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter since that fateful day with them. I used to spend every 4th of July in Sigurd and I traveled to Sigurd or Orderville on many weekends. When I got married it was super traumatic to change the course of things. Still haven't quite gotten used to it. But, my point was, the Esplins have just adopted me and have always been so kind and accepting. I love them all and admire so many things about them and their families.

Blogging is so theraputic. I believe I could just type and type and type, except there are a few other demands on my time. So, more to come later in Deep Thoughts....