A Quick Trip

My sister, parents and I headed to Phoenix this past Thursday for a funeral. Our dear friend, Christine Keeler, lost a 2 year battle to cancer. We have been friends with the Keeler family since I was 8 years old. We were all saddened by her passing, but grateful that her suffering in this earth life is done. How grateful we are to know that there is a plan for each of us and life doesn't end after death. She was always quick to help and lend an ear or open up her house for various projects. The longest being building our senior float for homecoming in her backyard.

With funerals comes reunions. Since my parents moved from central Phoenix 12 years ago I have not seen many of the kids that I grew up with our their parents. It was so great to see people who have known me my whole life and can tell me stories of my early years that I don't even remember. I have fond memories of all the families that we were able to visit with while there. I asked Neil Cleck for a lemon drop. Surge Huff told me not to kick him in the shins and when I saw the Turley's I was reminded of how their son showed me in the backyard at their house how he could pee on the cat (we were 4).

On top of seeing my parents old friends, I was able to see my old friends. It was great catching up with each other and I was reminded of all the fun times we had in our youth. We must have driven out about 5 different sunday school teachers. I know we made at least 2 of them cry and then when we started driving, sunday school was a great time to drive home and get a snack. Boy what rebels we were. My YW president was crying before the funeral started because she loved seeing all of us grown up. Funny how we don't see ourselves as being grown up.

My little sister flew down from UT to attend the funeral as well and it was nice being with my sisters and my parents. This is the last time I stay in a hotel my dad picks out.

It was a quick trip. We came back Friday night, but I am so glad I was able to go. The kids were happy to see me and I was really happy to sleep in my own bed. There is no place like home.