A roadtrip, a baby and a May snowstorm through the window

Ten minutes after that we arrive at Park City. Ahhhh....Park City. What can we say about Park City? It's home of the Sundance Film Festival, an annual Balloon Festival, the site for the Olympic Winter Games and home of the original Mrs. Fields Cookies. backcountry.com and Rossignol USA have their headquarters here. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the USA.

This isn't it. This is Parley's Summit. I didn't go to Park City that day. After this, you have several miles of 3%-6% grades downhill and you need to pay attention. So...no pics.

After those miles are covered, I caught a glimpse of what Brigham Young saw when this valley was settled. He rose from a sickbed in the back of a wagon (so the story goes...), looked out and said, "This is the right place. Drive on." There is a monument and park at the mouth of Emigration Canyon a few miles north. The view would have been the same. Well, not really. Considering there is a city there now, I'm sure the view was MUCH different!

Anyway, it's how I know I have 10-15 minutes until I'm home.

Almost home!!! At a stop light on Bangerter Highway, I took at pic of the Wasatch Mts.

Closer to home, these babies get closer and larger. Mt. Olympus, were you get Mt. Olympus drinking water is under those clouds. Somewhere. On the left, I think.

And this is a crappy picture of the Oquirrh Mts. that you can't see. the Kennecott Copper Mine is there. Which you also can't see. It is the world's largest open pit copper mine. My DH's father worked there on the big trucks as a mechanic. Back in the day, you were allowed to take home gemstones and metals you found. I have a large piece of iron pyrite(fool's gold) and a good sized chunk of raw silver that his father found.

HOME!!!!! There really is no place like it.

I took my things inside, got a fresh bottle of water and sat on the chair overlooking my own backyard. I contemplated the journey I had just finished. I thought on what it means to be Human, and Oma, and home.

My trip had taken me to places I had been before but it had also taken me places I had not. I had seen babies being born before but never my own grandchild. I have lived on this planet for 50 years, the last 39 in Utah. I've seen men land on the moon, watched the emergence of the internet and seen the USA attacked by terrorists.

Most of what I know, I have learned by being alive. Some things I have learned from my cats. From my mother I learned I can be anything I want. She herself was a police officer when most woman were nurses, homemakers and waitresses. I was many things before discovering I loved being security for a large retail store. From my husband, I learned you can be strong and soft at the same time. From him, I learned to savor a good cheesecake. (Small bites only!)

I'm not sure of everything I learned on my 2 day trip. I do know I am happier than I have ever been. I know that I could never let anyone harm a small person who is now 175 miles away but is, also, in my heart, too. I learned a person can run on adrenaline for 3 days.

The days ahead will teach me more things. Much as I like to think it, I DO NOT know it all. Not yet, anyway. I look forward to learning what a tiny girl has to teach. I want to know what she likes and doesn't like. Will she like movies? Baseball? What will she want to be when she grows up? I look forward to the days and years ahead of us all. I want to know if it's possible to achieve Nirvana before I die.

So...thanks for coming with me. I hate driving alone.



This message was edited May 15, 2010 12:05 PM

Oh Celia, what can I say. I've never read a more beautiful story. It is the perfect recording for Aurora and she will feel so special to have her own story. My heart is full of every emotion you came across with. I feel humbled right now and full of awe. The pictures were all perfect and your sense of humor just right. Thank you for such a wonderful look into your lives.

(((BIG HUG)))

Sally

Celia, I have tears in my eyes as I read your story. I didn't know this side of you...and I think you didn't know about it either !LOL It made you feel so emotional and all you wrote showed it so well. Congratulations Oma! As a future Oma myself(or bunica, mamaie, mamare...these are Romanian words for grandma) I'm begining to realize I will be VERY excited too when my DD will give birth to our grandson Nicholas. I haven't thought of how it'd feel to be a grandma...amazing feelings and you showed it to us so well! Aurora and Crystal are so beautiful together!
Those pictures are so beautiful ! Thanks for taking us with you on that trip.
I bet you'd just want to get in that car again and drive straight back to your girls!LOL

Hugs,
Adina

Celia thank you so much for that road trip, and sharing your experience! You have some really good times ahead of you and I know you will enjoy them to the fullest! We can really feel the emotion in your writing and I had tears in my eyes too. I will more than likely never experience this, but am so glad I can understand what becoming, and being, Oma is all about. All of the pictures are awesome, and you are an excellent writer!

Thank you! There was so much inside, it had to get out. I have been thinking about expanding it for publication.

You should definitely consider having it published!!! I don't think I would change a thing either. Your story is truly beautiful just the way it was written. I'm afraid something would be lost if you changed it.
Congratulations again Oma and may you have many years to enjoy this new little being.

Perhaps a magazine article?

Thanks you so much for your words. It means quite a bit hearing that.

Celia, after reading it, I too thought it should be published. I agree, don't change a word. It's powerful and it moves people.

Good idea! Go for it, Oma!

I have been checking into ebook publishers. I would love to share this with more people.

Did you find a good website? A magazine article would be perfect! Is there such a thing as a Oma's To Be magazine?

Wonderful--and big congratulations! I loved your touching story.

Crissy, I found a couple of places. I'll let you know what I decide.

Thanks, Sally. I'm still kind of wired over the whole experience. ^_^

Celia: I'm just finding this thread--have been off to Louisiana for the Mid-South RU the last four days. As the others have said, it is a beautiful story and one that should definitely be preserved for Aurora to read for herself some day. As Adina said, a different side of you that most of us have not "seen"--but a beautiful side of you.
I just wondered if you had noticed in the photo of Darrell in his very special car that the shadow on the car door below him looks like a man with a huge nose with his baseball cap turned backwards. ROFLOL At least that is what it looks like to me! Just another whimsical part of the story of Aurora's birth experience!

Yes, you are definitely experiencing those wonderful, awesome and yet sometimes, what's the word--perhaps "unknown" emotions a new grandparent feels! Congratulations to Oma and Opa and Crystal and Aurora!

That's me!!! LOL My elbows sticking out...

LOL, Celia! Your elbow makes a huge "nose"! ROFLOL

And they smell funny, too!!!

LOL Celia I hadn't noticed it! That's hilarious!

that's funny.
And he is wearing that cute ' geez here I am coming to your rescue , silly woman, aren't I great?" LOL
kwanjin I bet you're still in Nirvana. well if this ain't Nirvana, what is?

Actually, that was the day Hero brought home the Super Sports Car. He's a dear and would never say that. Out loud, anyway. LOL

Yeah but we all know they want to come galloping to our rescue.! Oh so thats the I got my SUPER SPORTS CAR I AM HOT grin!
Really, it was so nice to read your commentary/ thoughts, how often do we get to share heartfelt real life good news with others, and a travelogue too?

LOL Sally!!!!

YUP!!! LOL That's the grin alright!