Carry On!

Made it back from the family reunion. I really didn't want to come back 'cause everyone else is still there, but that's the price I pay for taking off all of next week to play in Canada. Over the years, I've built up a lot of memories from these events. For some reason, they seem to fall on/near my birthday, so that's what I associate them with.

The year I was 10, we borrowed a cabin near Panguitch Lake, Utah. We had been there all of 20 minutes when my cousin and I went to play in the creek outside. Suddenly she started screaming, and I discovered a water snake crawling over my foot. I refused to go anywhere near the creek or the field beyond for the rest of the week. The only exception was when they dragged me out to play medieval games (Huzzah!). I was also considered old enough to attend A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Cedar City Shakespeare Festival, which remains my favorite of his plays. I believe this was also the year that I threw a book at my dad's head from the backseat because I wasn't getting my way, but my aunt would have to confirm that. It's her favorite story about me.

The year I was 12, I spent a good portion of my time being bitter about not getting to stay up with the adults and being young in general. Case in point: I signed the quilt we made my grandparents as Mindy, age 11 and 11/12. I also remember this as the year my uncle was a buyer for a grocery chain, which meant he brought lots of candy samples. I also learned that my grandpa liked his cantelope with salt and pepper.

The year I was 14, we did the pioneer heritage tour, starting at Chimney Rock, Nebraska. We had cheesecake to celebrate my birthday a few days early; I dyed my strawberry topping purple (I would have dyed everyone else's too, but my mom wouldn't let me). I spent the evening of my actual birthday stuck in a trailer in the pouring rain with just my immediate family while the rest of the family got to stay in a hotel. To my teenage self, this was vastly unfair. They did stick a match in a Snickers bar and sing to me again.

The year I was 16, we rented a cabin at Bear Lake. We had airplane races off the balcony and rented waverunners. But the best part of this one for me was seeing the graves of my ancestors and seeing the old homestead where my great-grandpa was born. My aunt also let me drive her car now that I had a license, making her the coolest aunt ever.

I missed the one when I was 18, and the two when I was 20 and 22 kind of blend together. Both were in Heber. The first had family olympics on my birthday. Other than that, all I really remember is that my parents let me borrow the car so I could work half days. The second was a big event: my grandparent's 50th anniversary (which also happens to be my birthday). I was prepared to let my birthday be a small affair, but was pleasantly surprised by cake, singing, and lots of presents (including my Hello Kitty desk set, which is my mom's idea of a good joke). The adults spent the morning in the temple, while we took the rest of the cousins to see The Testaments. My favorite part of this reunion was the family testimony meeting. Lots of tissues for that.

This last reunion followed the grand tradition. There was the fun of watching my mom do a llama dance in support of her kickball team (named for the llama herd grazing the lawn of the lodge we stayed at) or hearing my marathon-runner uncle describe lunch as calorie replacement. There was usually at least one person reading Harry Potter 7. We had pioneer games (Carry on!) and a huge sourdough pancake breakfast to celebrate Pioneer Day. But this was also the first reunion without Grandpa. We had FHE on Monday to remember him. I think it was good for everyone, especially me. I felt his love, which I needed.

So here's to all those crazy people lucky enough to be related to me. I love you guys!