If only...

If only time could stand still for just a little longer! If only these images could be reality every day. If only the distance that separates us could be shortened by at least 1,000 miles! If only...

I just returned from a 5 day (way too short!) trip to southern Utah to be with my son and his family for the celebration of Marcus's Baptism. I really wanted all of the family to be there, but settled for the few who took the time to travel for the occasion. My brother came from Salt Lake City and it was so wonderful to see him again. Debi traveled from Provo with Randi in tow! I know attending family events isn't one of Randi's favorite things to do, but she was good to her mother and her grandmother and came anyway. Heather came from Las Vegas with little Hailey. Everyone had a wonderful time.

After the baptism, we all gathered at Mark's house for some grilled hamburgers and some fun "play" in their corral with their horses. Little Abbie showed her skills on her horse and took a ride around the barrells. She is only 4-years-old and has already participated in her first rodeo, bringing home a silver buckel. She is going to be just like her mommy. Little Hailey (also 4-years-old) couldn't wait to get up on the horse, and was a natural. We teased Heather that she and Rich were going to have to get Hailey a horse and take it home to their little postage-stamp back yard in suburban Las Vegas! She laughed.

Heather and Hailey were the first to leave. She had to get back to Vegas and her family. Why is it that I always feel a hole in my heart when one of my kids say "good-bye?" I know it isn't forever, but the emptiness just won't go away. Debi and Randi stayed over another night and went to church with us on Sunday.
Debi and Mark took me out to dinner for Mother's Day (because I won't be there on that day). We had a wonderful Italian meal at Olive Garden (my absolute favorite place to go)! After dinner, Debi and Randi had to say their good-bye's and head north to Provo and "snow!" There goes another hole in my heart!
I spent the next two days just fitting into Mark and Terrie's family routines and loving being back in my own backyard again. Whenever I go to St. George, it is like coming home! I love the colors and the deep blue skies and fluffy white clouds. Not to mention the fact that the temperature was in the 80's the last two days that I was there and it is in the 50's on the Oregon coast! I soaked in as much of that wonderful sunshine as I could.
All too soon, Wednesday morning came and it was time for me to leave. Mark and Abbie took me to the airport. It was awfully hard to say good-bye! There came a few more holes in my heart.
If only I could make time stand still! If only I could keep those I love close for hugs every day! If only we didn't always have to come together and then leave all too soon, leaving such big, giant holes in our hearts! If only...