A Slot in Time

It's fall break, UEA weekend, and we decided to go to Southern Utah to see my family and  enjoy the beauty of Gods creations. This was our 3rd time doing the Bryce Canyon Willis Creek slot canyon hike. One year ago, this same weekend, during fall break for our kids. Troy brought all the children except for Trevin (who was too little) to do this fun hike that we had so loved the first time we did it in 2007 for my husbands family reunion. 

With Cousins

          

2007 Willis Creek

It was a great experience. The kids always have so much fun. The pictures they got from last year were priceless,  something that I'm so grateful we have.  They show Terik's energy and excitement for life, for nature, and the love he has for his family. As we did this hike a few days ago it brought mixed emotions. Feelings of *Guilt, Sadness, Joy, Thankfulness and Hope.

*Guilt that I didn't go last year with them. Wishing that I would have made the sacrifice to go. It's a memory I missed out on and will never get back. It made me realize how imported it will be to do so in the future. Even though the sacrifice might seem like a big thing in the moment, later as we look back, they are often the treasures that we will hold on to as the most cherished moments of our lives. 

2014 Willis Creek

* Sadness because my precious Terik wasn't here to do this with us. He was always the leader and made everything exciting and fun. Sometimes teenagers seem to find the negative in every situation,  so it's hard to do much of anything that will please them. But not Terik!  He was quite the opposite.  He helped everyone see the bright side if everything.  When someone got hurt, he would hug them and help them feel loved then find a way to laugh and help them have fun again as quickly as possible. 

* Joy to be together with my family. To have 4 beautiful children to love and raise.  I enjoyed, so much, watching them. They laughed,  played, ran and got dirty. They talked about Terik in positive ways.  Remembering the good times they had with him there. I know this is a healing thing for their souls.

*Thankfulness for having so many wonderful memories with Terik. Thankful he enjoyed nature and hiking. Thankful for his excitement in new experiences that was so contagious. Thankful he is my son. Thankful that I got to spend almost 18 years of my life with him. Thankful for all he has taught me and continues to teach me. Thankful for each one of my unique children with their own special talents.

*Hope of having all 7 of my children with me again someday. All of us together as a family, building new memories together. Hope of being reunited and never having to be apart again. Hope of getting to see my 4 remaining babies grow and learn and watch as their beautiful lives unfold. 

2015 Willis Creek

So here was a little glimpse down memory lane as I look at our 3 trips to the slot canyons. We have  had different Slots of Time in our lives. Some feel happy, full of joy and fun. Others seem hopeless and never ending. But, with each slot in our lives there comes new learning and growth that have helped me to enjoy the good moments more. Even if the good are laced with a tinge of sadness. I wouldn't trade one moment, one memory. I'm so THANKFUL for everyone.