Amazing Walkthrough

Each spring and summer, I get this desire to move to Utah. In light of some recent events, I have really wanted to get motivated to get it done, but since we just got the garage in and got a brick wall in to replace our old failing wood fence, I don’t see us moving soon.

That said, I heard a song this morning that made me remember a trip to Utah this last year. We went up there for Grandma’s funeral. It was a sad event of course, but it was a chance for Kayla and Sydney to play in the snow and was a blast to them. I then fell into a bit of a daydream.

I was imagining a day where the snow was falling. We had a fire in the fireplace. The afternoon sun was beginning to set. Nancy and I were standing at the back wall of the house looking out the bay window and doors, with my arms wrapped around her while she sips a cup of hot chocolate. The fireplace on the left crackling with a fire, and the children are in the backyard building snowmen and having a snowball fight. In the background, The Blenders quietly sing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and the smell of ham cooking in the oven fills the house.

I suppose I should hear conversations or have more to the dream, but it is an image I can’t get out of my mind. Even when my first Christmas in the snow was spent nearly alone (I was in the Navy and in training), it was still somewhat magical to see the snow and realize why Irving Berlin was dreaming of and why he was dreaming of it.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love wearing shorts Christmas morning. I love not needing a jacket in the afternoon, but there is an essence of the season that is missing here in Arizona. Yes, I could get much the same feeling by going north an hour or two and playing in the snow, but it wouldn’t be the same to me.

Also my family lives in both places. Nancy’s family here in the Valley. Mine lives in the Wasatch Valley (or nearby). We have been in the Valley for the past 7 years. Even now, in June, not being in the 100+ weather (well only for a few hours each day), is somehow making Phoenix seem less brutal (yes, I know, July and August are coming soon enough).

But somehow, that daydream keeps running through my head. It is a dream, but someday… somehow, I want to make it a reality.

Tags: Christmas, Family, Goals, Home, kids