2009 Year In Review- Best Trip

I love that blogging allows for good ideas to be shared. This one comes from Jill who got it from Holly who got it from somewhere... and I love it! I've been trying to find a structure for looking back on the year and this is a good place to start.

December 1st TRAVEL: What was your best trip in 2009?

Kelly and I had a fantastic anniversary trip to San Fransisco, which included seeing Wicked for my second time, running on the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting Alcatraz, eating the best Lobster Bisque I have ever had (thanks for the recommendation Jon!), and remembering how much I love Kelly (which kids had made me forget!)

But my best trip was to Texas in May to see my Dad.

I don't think we even knew my Dad had cancer at that point- only that he was really sick and in a lot of pain. It seems overly dramatic to say we thought he might by dying, but in the back of our minds- we feared he might be.


I wanted so badly to do something to help him and my mom. I hopped on a plane without kids, without an agenda, without expectations and planned to just do everything I could for him. Of course, that's not how it works with Dads. He did more for me on this trip than I did for him.

I came home after my time with him more sure than ever of these things:

• he loves me.
• he is proud of me and what I have done in my life.
• my righteous decisions have brought him the most happiness.
• music lifts our spirits.
• I come from a line of imperfect but wonderful people.
• we are blessed to have the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
• it is important to meet our obligations.
• love to read.
• words are not always needed.
• sometimes just holding hands is enough.
• someday he will be gone but our family is sealed together forever by adversity, love and priesthood power.

I'm so happy to say that my dad is doing really well right now. He is even back at work full time! But I am just as grateful for those days of not knowing because they were a gift to me and that is why it was the best trip of 2009.