My Grandpa Powell - in the top five of the most amazing men in my life - is buried outside Susanville. That's only about 2 1/2 hours from me. I had never been to his grave. Never loved going to see graves, I'll be honest. I remember as a kid being taken to cemeteries of long gone distant relatives and... well... not loving it. Not only that, I grew up in a home where after a discussion between my mom and brother about how she never wants flowers AFTER she's dead because she can't enjoy them, she'd much rather have them while alive - he brings her flowers every Memorial Day. Morbidly hilarious, I know. I digress.
My Grandpa is buried not too far from here. I've never been to his graveside. The idea of going out there bounced around in my head for about a week before even saying it to my husband. I don't know what I thought he'd say - "That's a dumb way to spend my day off! That's too far with all these monkey's!" It's Dee. He's wonderful. He said, "I think that is a great way to spend Memorial Day. I wish I would have known your Grandpa. He sounds like an amazing man." *How lucky am I?*
Once it was decided we'd go I had a few days of happy Grandpa memories. My sister Suzanne and I told a few back and forth and I was reminded once again what an amazing man he was. He always made me feel important and loved. He was an amazing musician (as is my dad) and played his guitar and accordion every time we visited. It wasn't until I was in High School I realized most people don't do that when they are at their grandparent's house! He only liked two kinds of pie. Hot and cold. Any time my Grandma asked him to shuck corn he'd say, "Aw shucks" and wink at me. And a million more little things. One of the biggest things was when we moved here there was and elderly man in our ward. I don't remember how the conversation got there but he was in the same ward as my dad's family in Susanville. He said, "I knew your Grandpa. Not real well, but I'll never forget the time he stood to bear his testimony. His son was getting ready to go on a mission and they didn't have a lot of money. Your Grandpa said I don't know how we're going to pay for it but we'll sell the house if we have to." That is the kind of man he is.
Anyway...
I had told Tyler a couple of his friends could spend the night while their parents went out of town. So we not only had our monkeys in the car we had a couple extra boys. Sounds like an adventure!!
We drove. And drove. And drove. We arrived at the cemetery and I had no idea where their headstone was. After about an hour of walking around scattered out across the cemetery reading headstones we found it. (Side note, my parents were on a cruise at this point so I couldn't call. I tried to find my Aunt's # but no luck.)
We cleaned up the graveside the best we could and placed some flowers. My Grandma is also buried there, unfortunately I did not know her.
During the search I was reminded how thankful I am for Heavenly Father's eternal plan of families. I can't imagine a heaven with out my Grandpa!
Out front of the cemetery was decorated for Veteran's Day. This was Dee and Tyler playing with the cannon out front.
Afterwards the kids were
done. Especially the random kids who were dragged along. We decided to reward them for the long drive and dusty gravesides with stopping at Eagle Lake. We were the only ones there and it was FUN. We hadn't planned on getting wet (ha ha ha) but in not too long Carter was down to his tighty whiteys. Luckily the boys had swimming suits from the sleepover!
It was super shallow for a long time. The kids could walk quite a ways before getting too deep. That's Dee trying to fish but it was too shallow.
The boys found a huge mud puddle. Of course.
This shot cracks me up. It's all the kids walking back, but they look like a posse. Then there is Carter. Dancing. Yes, dancing because he's having so much fun. Loves life, that kid.
