Memorial: serving to preserve remembrance

To some, Memorial Day is simply a federal holiday that gives them a day off work. To me, it is much more. Webster's Dictionary defines the word memorial as serving to preserve remembrance, which is just what this day does for me.

Memorial Day, more than any other holiday, was about being with family. Each year since before I can remember, all the family on my mom's side would pile into their cars and head to Payson, UT. It was a must that we get there early enough to see the Payson City Parade which went right past Grandma Dixon's house for years. Each and every cousin would line up on the curb to watch the floats, classic cars, and bagpipe bands go by while waiting hopefully for candy to be thrown our way.

Once the parade concluded we all made our way back to Grandma's front yard where lawn chairs and blankets were set out and a long tables was being piled high with food- including grandma's famous homemade pickles. Soon, one of the uncles would whistle loudly over the noise, drawing the crowd's attention. A blessing would be offered then the day of eating, relaxing, and mingling began.

Each year was the same, the boys always ended up in the backyard playing football, the girls sat on blankets talking and passing the babies around, the moms gathered together to talk, and the dads...well they each found a spot to lie down for a nap. You could walk into just about any room and find one uncle or another stretched out on the floor sleeping.

At some point we always took a trip to the Payson City Cemetery were many family members are buried. Flowers were placed on the headstone of my Grandfather, Douglass Dixon. We always brought peoni's from our yard. Next came a rather strange tradition. At this point my dear sweet Grandma would smile, lay down in the grass, cross her hands over her chest, and pleasantly state that this was where she would some day be buried. I am not sure when this started but I remember it happening on more than one occasion. Oh Grandma! She never was afraid to die.

Grandma Dixon was always in perfect health and in the eyes of her grandchildren she was going to live forever. But she didn't. On the morning of October 22, 2009, at the age of 93, she passed away. I miss her! I miss her A LOT!!! We all do. But we will see her again some day- of this there is no doubt. But on days like this, I can't help but wish things were back to how they used to be. I want more than anything to be laying on a blanket on the front lawn of her home in Payson with all my family. Memorial Day.... yes! there is no doubt- I am preserving memories!!

The Highlights and Lowlights...

Life is moving a mile a minute and I can hardly keep up. I'm back in Virginia...have been for about 2 months. Busy! Busy! Busy! Here are some highlights and lowlights...

• Boss mom in Utah recovering from surgery. She was there for 3 weeks before joining the rest of us in VA and boy oh boy did we miss her!

• Bonfire!! Wood, marshmallows, camp chairs, harmonica, Starbusts, guitar, chocolate, and the Shenandoah Ward = good times!

Washington Nationals vs. Baltimore Orioles

Yay! for LDS Singles Night at Nationals Park. A bunch of the friends from the ward went together and we had a BLAST!

• Boss dad in a couple big golf tournament. This translates into me having an utterly insane work schedule.

• I was called to be in the Shenandoah Ward Relief Society Presidency. I will only be here for a short bit but while I'm here I will be serving as the first counselor. To add to the fun, the president will be out of town for the majority of time. Yikes! Learning experience...

• Ward Camp out!! Tents, campfire, fishing at 5am, horseshoes, full moon, shotguns, lakes, story telling, and lots of laughing.

• Boss dad turns 40 yrs old and had the biggest party you could imagine! Wow! It involved more than 60 people, over half a dozen limos and renting out an entire bar for the night.

• Parked my car out in front of our house because when I got home my boss's friend was parked in the driveway. In the morning it was gone. Towed. No good!

• Everyone in the family gets SICK! SICK! SICK! My amazing immune system kicked in and I was only slightly near death.
  

Time is moving way too fast. I only have a month left till I head back to good ol' Utah for school. I love it here but am looking forward to coming home in August. Until then though... bring on the rest of the summer adventures!

Playing "Single Mom" is Exhausting!

It all started Sunday night when the parents left on a trip... being a "single mom" just about killed me! I had both girls 24/7 and boy oh boy was it an experience. I should have known I was jinxed after their last trip- (when the youngest threw up all over herself and the car). Well, this time had its own set of "learning experiences"...

First of all, I was woken up numerous times every night by one or the other of the girls crying. The first night, I ended up with a 4 yr old in my bed with me. She is a tosser and a turner so it made for a long night. Between being up on and off during the night and having to wake up super early to get them off to school, I was beat!

Next, I spent the first morning on the phone with doctors offices and pharmacies because the youngest got infections in both eyes. Ever tried giving a 2 year old eye drops- no fun!

Even just the little things like packing school lunches, taking out the trash, feeding the dog, and rotating laundry were exhausting.

The parents finally got home late Wednesday but not without problems. There was some issue with the plane's fuel and they ended up switching flights and arriving over five hours later than planned....leaving me with teary little ones to tuck into bed yet again.

I love my job! I love the kids! I wouldn't change it for the world! But boy am I exhausted and glad beyond words that mom and dad are home! Once again I am reminded that two parents are hugely important! For everyones sanity!