My favorite memories of my Papa are being in the mountains with him. It was our church and he taught me that is where you can feel closest to god and all of the universe. 

He had just bought a new Evergreen Toyota Tundra. One sunday I ran into him inbetween my sunday school classes and he said, " Come on baby doll, we need to go to the real church." With that well know smile that always filled this daughters heart with joy. 

We headed to the Wasatch Mountains, blasting classic rock and holding hands. We stopped at a meadow and my father put in a Beethoven cd. We sat there for what seemed like hours watching the earth dance. I learned about the synchronicity of the soul and our beautiful planet. 

We kept driving. Next we stopped by a river. We saw a deer. The deer knew we wouldn't hurt it. 

I learned kindness. I learned how love is a infinite force constantly flowing through us. 

We kept driving. 

There was a dirt road trailhead that said "Enchanted Forest." 
Mind you this trail was very narrow. 
My father smiled and said. "We must go there."

As we drove his new truck through the winding narrow roads you could hear the aspens scratching the sides of the truck. For some reason the music was off, you could only hear the sound of the dirt road, the engine and the branches  keying my fathers new truck. I was shocked and I said "Dad! your new truck is getting all scratched."  I collected leaves as we went along. He just chuckled and said, " That's ok darling. We are going on an adventure."  Soon the road led to a circular clearing and we got out and hiked. We found some old vintage skis. Our souls just danced in the forest for a bit. Positivley enchanted grounds. 

We headed home. 
I was so full of joy. 
Love. 

I realize now, materialistic worries would of prevented a beautiful adventure. A golden memory. 

My dad knew. 
Stuff rusts, and breaks. 

The memories you make with the people you love is what lasts. 

Just one Sunday with an amazing soul. 

Full of perfect moments. 

When our son Sammy was almost two years old, I was pregnant with Chrystal. One day, I went to work only to find that I had lost my job. I was devastated and worried about our family's finances.  I went into the bedroom, laid on the bed, covered my eyes and sobbed out of sadness and fear.

Above my tears, I heard the muffled sound of marching feet on the shag carpet.  With Sam leading the way, father and son entered the room chanting, "We love Mommy, we love mommy!" A treasured memory.

Unlike me, Sam had no fear of anything. "It'll be all right dahlin."

And to the kids?  It will.

MommaClaire