1,729 miles, 3 days and 2 nights

View Larger Map

I had the wonderful fortune of helping my mother move to Utah.  She began her journey in Myrtle Beach, SC and I met her in Kentucky.  We loaded furniture and belongings, slept briefly and then began our nearly 1800 mile trip.  Her excitement could barely be contained as she thought of actually living near all of her grandchildren.  However, this joy didn't competely override her anxiety about a new place - one that she hadn't even seen - and she often found herself caught between feelings of elation and those of complete nail biting fear :)  Let me assure everyone...the joy quickly and easily won out as she walked into her new home that already had a bed, new linens in the bathroom and other important necesities provided by Matt and Cayr.  As well as a B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.  welcome sign created by Chancey and signed by the the whole family.

This trip was nothing new for me as having attended school and lived in the west for many of my 40 years, I have driven these miles back and forth over 10 times.  This was usually by myself with the exception of my original trip with my Sister and my honeymoon/move trip to Northern Cali.  So this was a special treat to be with my Mom.  She came prepared with a few books on CD that we enjoyed but mostly we enjoyed talking and comfortable silence.  We both reminised on previous trips - she with grandmommie and me with Caprece.  It felt good.  And of course we couldn't help contemplating the pioneers as we traveled in their footsteps in a warm ,dry, and mostly comfortable :) truck.  We stopped each night to sleep in a warm comfy bed and it only took us 3 days and 2 nights.  Mom may not be a pioneer in things temporal as were those pioneers long ago but she is still forging a path of faith, hope and charity for those following her.

My Joaquin had been counting the days to her arrival and Rodrigo informed me that the night before we were to arrive he had decided the anticipation was killing him and he could wait no longer!  He demanded to see Grandmommie Jacqi NOW!  Needless to say it was a wonderful reunion for us all - I had missed my little boys terribly and Rodrigo too.  There really is no place like home.  I can't help but think of our future heavenly reunion with those who have gone on before us and a return to that home, the home that I feel a constant longing for.  Ezekiel and I were reading a book about the Savior this past week and there was a picture of the Savior hugging a child.  I was talking to Zeke about it and how wonderful it must feel to receive a hug from the Savior.  I was overwhelmed with a desire for a "Jesus Hug" and I told him so.  He agreed that this would be a very good thing.

How thankful I am for Jesus Christ. Because of him I have a family, and a home - both earthly and heavenly. 

Welcome to Utah Mom!