Deep Thoughts

Or not. Maybe just thoughts.

As I was driving toward St. George on Saturday night after a satisfying trip to Lavell Edwards Stadium, I found myself thinking again. Nick on my right and Josh behind me.

It was a good trip. I found myself wondering if my boys will remember this trip like I remember certain trips with my dad and brothers. And will they remember it fondly?

(I think I did a pretty good job of keeping Gollum in check.)



 We just were 3 boys having fun going to a football game; eating nachos and hot dogs and cougar tails. I just wanted it to be fun. I want them to have a happy memory.

This is Josh adding to his signature collection on his football. Ask him about...but only if you're prepared to spend the time listening. He loves to talk about it.





I tried to point out to them the beauty of the landscape we were speeding past in the dark. The beauty that you could only see because of the soft, white blanket covering the ground between Fillmore and Beaver. That blanket was reflect in a strong light radiating from the moon.

Part of me wished I could just pull over and enjoy looking at it for a little while. However, I didn't have any snacks or beverages in the car that would allow for a prolonged trip. But I imagined what it would be like in my mind.

My dad taught me to appreciate things like that. Hopefully, in those moment between the glowing screens in front of their faces, they truly caught a glimpse of it.

See, I had a birthday a little more than a week ago and I sort of had some sudden realizations that I am starting to not be that young any more. (Starting) My body tries to remind me of that now and then when my mind isn't so convinced.

I am having conversations about things with my kids and telling them it was 30 years ago. Really? Thirty years? It doesn't seem like it was that long ago, but 30 is kind of a big number looking back.

The boys did get to enjoy playing in the median of the freeway for a little more than an hour as we waited for this mess to get cleaned up the next morning just north of Valley of Fire. So, that's a memory, too.

The smoke is rising from the second of two accidents ahead of us.

If you look at this photo closely, life flight is just taking off.

This was the cause of the second accident.

"I'd Like Some...Perspective."

There are those moments in life that allow you a little perspective. You may think it silly, but I had one of those moments on September 17th, 2011.

I love football. Okay, I love college football. Okay, okay, okay. I love BYU football. In fact, I love it so much, that my mood is often determined by the outcome of the football game any particular week. And by often, I mean 100% of the time.

And if there is any week that can really make...or break...my attitude toward others, it's the week of the BYU/Utah Football Game.  Please take note of the use of capital letters.

When the two meet in any other sport - ANY other sport - I really do not care.  Don't get me wrong, I really hope that BYU wins. However, a loss will not create an unrecoverable funk that only victories can overcome.

In recent years, the games have been agonizingly close. And no, I don't need Ute fans commenting on the couple of years where it wasn't as close as others. I am fully aware of the history, 26-23.

Last year, when BYU declared it's move to independence and Utah accepted its invitation to the PAC, many bemoaned the end of the rivalry. Not me. I was actually hoping it would die. I can't take that kind of stress any more. True, winning on a last second throw to Jonny Harline is exquisite. But just as exceedingly exquisite is that joy, equally exquisite is the pain of a last-second blocked field goal that would have won the game.

No more. Please.  Yet, at least they are competitive and exciting games.

I would rather have BYU lose that way than by handing the ball over to Utah 7 times. Even Utah will beat BYU with that sort of gifting.  I found myself repeating the words of Peach, "Find a happy place.  Find a happy place. Find a happy place!"

You might think the drive home was a LONG 6 hours. And you would be correct in your thinking.  But, I had time to reflect on a few things.

Throughout my life, I have said, half-jokingly (and by half-jokingly, I mean in complete honesty), that very few things are more important the BYU Football.  In fact, you could count them on one or two fingers, using only the entire finger.  I have decided there are more than that, actually.

Such as driving all the way home, rather than stopping in St. George to sleep for a few hours because your 3-year-old is suddenly sick and Mommy needs to get there ASAP.

Or, watching my wife sleep - in an attempt to get a little bit of rest while the girls are not calling us - in the passenger seat on the long drive home from Provo and listening to her snore.  There's another one.  I found a particular joy in that I would not have otherwise. (I took a picture, but I will not post it for fear of death)

Or, watching my 9-year-old son try to get the last of the nacho cheese out of the plastic tray.

Or, the Primary Program the next day and watching my children sing and participate is more important.

Seeing Matti lead the music for the first time in Sacrament meeting the next day, that too.

Setting another personal best at the triathlon at Sand Hollow Reservoir.

Nick and Josh playing together - happily, without fighting.

Or, as Nicki was about to let the boys go play in the water while I started the swim portion of the triathlon, she said to them, "Make sure you take off your shoes, socks, and pants before you get in the water."  To paraphrase Dori, "Something about the water.  Got it."  And the first thing Josh does is run straight into the water - without doing any of those things.

Even the smell of the rain as we drove home that night/morning.

So, I found quite a few things other than the most obvious.  Like eating Ratatouille just like your mom used to make for you when you were a child - a little perspective.