Memory Lane

Mike and I had the chance to go to Provo and Brigham City this last weekend to help Karen and Andrew move.  Talk about a trip down Memory Lane.  Mike and I moved in to our eighth place of residence right around our seventh anniversary.  Due to graduate school, summer internships, new jobs, and new babies, we seemed to find a way to pull up our roots about every year or so, and we became pretty good at vacating one place and setting up a new residence.  (We did have some help from professional movers a couple of times, so I shouldn't complain too loudly.)

In the sixteen years since then, we've moved just once, and that move was less than half a mile away.  In other words, it's been a while since we've dealt with the hassle.  Also, we were considerably younger when we were making all those moves, and we had forgotten what a HUGE task it was.  This is a picture of Mike at about 8:30 on Sunday morning, after we'd worked for most of Friday and all of Saturday.  Good morning, sunshine!  (I woke him when I turned on the camera.)  Given the fact that he usually gets up before 5:00 every morning and that he has been working ridiculously long hours lately, I was so glad he could sleep in.  After all these years, his ability to work so long and so happily still amazes me.

We were blessed to be able to spend a little time with Rachel as well.  She usually works six days a week and only has Fridays off, but she graciously spent the day helping pack and load in Provo.  She has enjoyed her summer working at Aspen Grove, but I am quite sure she is working way too hard.  She has a great attitude about it all--and still a wonderful sense of humor--but I'm her mom.  I worry.

Mike and I do feel blessed that Andrew and Karen had such a cute little place to live in Provo and that they have now found a good place to live in Brigham City.  In Provo they lived in the front half of an older but well-kept home.  The neighborhood was quiet--except for the SWAT team incident (you must read Karen's blog entry about that)--and their ward was welcoming and friendly. 

They've found a nice apartment in Brigham City as well.  We were surprised to have members of their ward practically meet us to open our doors as we pulled up.  Karen and I arrived in the van and were quickly welcomed by one of their neighbors.  When Andrew and Mike drove up in the moving van a while later, we quickly went to eat lunch.  We returned to find several able men and teenage boys there, ready to tote Karen and Andrew's belongings up to their second floor apartment.  I'm not sure I've ever felt so grateful to see a friendly set of strangers.  Seriously, they proved that "many hands make light work."  It was awesome!

The physical act of moving was a real trip down Memory Lane, but watching Karen and Andrew move on to the next phase of their life also brought back a flood of other memories.  I was pleased to see their joy at having one more bedroom in which to spread out.  They also have cheap laundry facilities in the basement of their apartment building.  It's not quite the in-unit set-up they really wanted but close.  Also, on Saturday night Mike and Andrew went to the store to get some light bulbs.  Karen excitedly told me, "I'm going to text Andrew and tell him to pick up some dishwasher detergent."  They are SO excited over such a simple appliance. 

I vividly remember the joy that came with each little upgrade in our lives, but I have to admit that I hadn't felt that type of deep-seated, simple, reflexive gratitude for a long time.  That led me to wonder what other things I take for granted.  It's been fun to spend the last day or two counting my blessings.  They are many, and I've discovered that life becomes sweeter when I take the time to notice all that makes my life simpler and better.

P.S.  A belated "Happy Birthday" to my wonderful mom.  I know she was travelling the Bulgarian countryside on her big day, but I couldn't help but think about her constantly. . . even when we were packing boxes.  Consider yourself hugged, Mom!  Love you like crazy!