Memorial Day

I don't know why I thought of it this morning, but since we're planning to go to Preston tomorrow, maybe that's why. I'll explain in a minute.

My husband's dad's family has their family reunion each year in Preston Idaho on the family property. It usually consists of dutch oven chicken, potatoes, and all the side dishes people bring. It's certainly worth the drive. We usually just make it a day trip. Since the family is getting so large, occasionally they'll have it at the ward house in Downtown Preston. Preston's still pretty small: if you can't find the church, just keep driving around...pretty soon you'll find it.

The other day I was talking to my father-in-law about the reunion since I'll be going without Chris (he has to work). I was asking where the reunion would be. He thought the church -- and asked if I knew were to find the church. I pulled out the blackberry, and went to the google maps application and put in "Preston high school, Preston Idaho" or something simple. I gave him the address. He was amazed. I then said it was about X # of miles from Logan...again, he was surprised. I guess I won't be getting lost from now on (well, maybe that's wishful thinking) but not as lost as I sometimes get.

In 1994 on May 30th we attended the reunion in Preston. Driving to dinner that day we passed the sign which says "Whitney, Idaho: birthplace of President Ezra Taft Benson." It is not hard to miss the sign. Driving home that day we heard the sad news that President Benson had passed away that day. How appropriate that we'd driven through his home town that day.

The next day, May 31, 1994 was an eventful one in Provo Utah when Microburst winds hit and caused a LOT of damage to the cemetery, and other areas in South Provo where we lived. There were a lot of trees uprooted that day. We had lived in Provo for about 6 months when this event occurred. I arrived home that afternoon to devastation through the neighborhood. I don't know how our home avoided damage, but we did. But that gave Chris time to go out and help a lot of neighbors ... and thus become better acquainted with our ward and neighborhood.

It was sobering to drive through the neighborhoods and cemetery.

Although I'm sorry there was so much destruction that day, I was pleased to see how everyone helped everyone else. we all pitched in and served each other. It left a wonderful sense of community and support.

But again, as I attend Memorial Day celebrations this week and while I hope we aren't in for more devastation, I hope that no matter what the challenge, we can all pitch in to help neighbors during their time of need. That's what Memorial Day reminds me of...