Okay, so as much as I didn't enjoy the Mormon culture in Utah, there were definitely some "winner" moments, spent with people I love:
Claudia: Sunday morning, I woke up Ethan far earlier than he thought he would need to wake up (seeing as he stayed out until 1 a.m. the night before) to attend "Music and the Spoken Word" in the Tabernacle at Temple Square. I hadn't planned on going until I received an email the night before from my friend, Claudia Koide. She moved to Utah Valley this past summer, and now plays for the "Orchestra at Temple Square". She informed me that the concert in the morning would be a requiem for the children killed in Newtown, Connecticut last month. In fact, the conductor of the orchestra, Ryan Murphy, grew up in Newtown and actually attended Sandy Hook elementary. Claudia told me it was a concert, not to be missed.
So, we drove up to Salt Lake City, found parking and headed in. As with any performance, words just couldn't describe it. Children's songs, sung by the choir and played by the orchestra. Beautiful words about continuing to trust in God when one might feel abandoned by him. I think the concert was even more meaningful to me because I was able to see my good friend play a part in it.
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| Claudia is the blonde cellist. |
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| Isn't the Tabernacle beautiful? The best part is that there isn't a "bad" seat in the entire place, due to the excellent acoustics. |
Then, Tuesday morning (the day I headed back to PA), Claudia and I met for breakfast. We have shared many breakfasts and lunches over the years, and it honestly felt like nothing had changed--she and her family hadn't picked up and moved to Utah at all, but we were back at The Waffle Shop, doing our visiting teaching and talking. I really appreciate Claudia because she's a musician, because she cares about my kids, and because she's really wonderful at helping me see clearly when my vision is clouded by insecurity. She has been a HUGE supporter of all my kids have done, and they feel her support, especially in all of their musical endeavors. When I had my back surgery and couldn't do anything but lay on the couch for weeks, she would call me up and talk on the phone, keeping me company through the lonely, boring hours. She's a friend in every sense of the word.
The Kennedy Cousins: Sunday afternoon, Ethan and I headed to Mike and Katrina's house (Mike is John's next brother down), and I was able to see the fantastic and always entertaining Kennedy Cousins. These are the kids who come on some random adventure with me each summer, and I love them. Plus, Mike and Katrina are some of the most down-to-earth people I know (although Mike has issues hugging me--not sure why...) It's very freeing for someone like me who worries about everything I say to not have to worry. They take no offense at anything, and make me feel completely welcome.
After lunch and an interesting discussion about politics, we sat down in the living room because I noticed Kailee's harp covered and in a separate room. No instrument-playing child is getting by me without playing for me (don't I wish it was like this for my kids when people come to our homes, but so far, there aren't many takers...). Oh man, that is my idea of a fun afternoon! We heard everyone from Rachel down to Joe play--piano, violin and harp. I LOVED it!
The best moment? Joe was ... ahem ... struggling a bit, playing his hymn on the piano, so Ethan (who professes to not be a musician at all) sat down next to Joe and took the left hand. What a wonderful, literal example of how two hands are better than one :-)
Ancestors: Yes, my ancestors are some of my best friends. Because I was so sick, and because Ethan and I had so many errands, I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked in the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, but I'm still glad I went for the few hours I did. It reminded me of how much I love family history, and how I need to keep up my own research while I'm busily helping others with theirs.
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