"i was born ready"

this has been an interesting week. on thursday evening, i flew from salt lake to the sacramento airport so that i could be with my family for my uncle russ' funeral.

it was possibly the best plane ride i have ever had. i sat next to an indian man named suki. we talked for the entire hour and a half that we flew, and he told me about his family, growing up in india, being a computer programmer, and how he travels at least once a week for his work. his favorite place he has ever traveled to is japan. he loves his family more than anything, and despite all of the traveling he does, he has made his family his very top priority. i told him that i go to byu, that i am mormon, and that i am still figuring out what i want to do with my life. he asked me questions about mormonism; i asked him questions about hinduism (which he actively practices). at one point, he told me that comparing mormonism and hinduism wasn't like comparing apples and oranges, it was like comparing apples and beef. i helped him see the similarities - the value of family, the concept that we live our faith every single day, and that our faith influences every single part of our lives. it was one of the most interesting discussions about religion that i've ever had, and hopefully he could see that hinduism and mormonism aren't like apples and beef (which struck me as a very funny comparison).

buuuuuut then we landed. and my parents were parked at the wrong terminal. and my suitcase didn't make it on the plane. (of course it was the ONLY suitcase that didn't make it.) i was rather grumpy. but, thankfully, there was a walmart nearby, so i got some make up and a floral grandma nightie - a house dress, if you will - and i was all set. and good thing i wore a nice outfit on the plane ride, because i had to wear it again to the service on friday. phew. that was smart of me, right?

(irony: my parents asked if i was standing near a woman in a pink poncho. i told them no. a little while later when my dad was in the wrong terminal trying to find me, i told him i was wearing all pink. hahahahaha.)

the service was really nice. stories were shared about my uncle, who was a big, tough man with a heart of gold. he was one of the most generous and loving people i've ever met; he was someone who genuinely cares about the people he loves. most of the stories were goofy. he was a big prankster. but there were also touching stories that showed just how deeply he cared and loved. we'll miss his pranks, his teasing, his generosity, and finding things turned upside down all over the house.

when my aunt janet asked the kids if they were ready for the service, janessa quoted her dad and said, "i was born ready." i was so impressed by the grace with which my aunt, little russell, janae, and janessa handled the service and luncheon. they were gracious, they smiled, they loved, and while they let others comfort them, they were unselfish and actually helped to comfort everyone else.

that day we spent with the cooks in their home. the kids all played basketball and other games outside, while we sat inside telling stories and laughing. i've always loved that aspect of lds funerals - even though it's sad, there is still so much joy. it's all about eternal perspective - knowing that we have eternity helps us to move forward and keep a smile on our faces.

i was also able to go to my bakery. can you say heaven on earth? because yeah. that is exactly what it was. i got to see the new layout (i haven't seen it since the remodel!) and i FINALLY got to have all of the deliciousness that i've been missing. and i got to see everyone. well, almost everyone, but it was great.

orange curd filled donut, pain au chocolat, chocolate almond croissant, pain au raisin, sweet monkey bread, macarons, a hoho, brioche, pretzel brioche, hot cross buns...heaven.

and a trip home would not be complete without a stop at the st helena branch, of course. i got to talk to the wonderful 84 year-old corky, and she said, and i quote,

"i got a cataract removed from my eye. first thing i thought when i looked in the mirror was, 'lordy, i have so many wrinkles!'" 

oh, i love that woman.

so now i'm back in provo, back at school, doing all the stuff that goes along with it. and i came to the realization today that there is one month left. just one month. that's all. i feel pretty good about that.

ps five months until paris.