Sunday smiles from our trip to Utah

It is November…. the month of Thanksgiving. We surely have lots to be thankful for….. lots to smile about. Here are 6 smiles from our recent trip to Utah.

1. I was smiling that we completed our trip this time without an accident.

W e pulled off of the freeway at Nephi where we had our accident last March and visited the junk yard where they took our car and the hospital where they first took us.

I didn’t remember any of it until we looked in the trauma room where John and I were first treated.

Then I got a knot in the pit of my stomach as the memories of that evening came flooding back. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough but I was happy that we could thank the nurses who took care of us….. and …2. I was smiling that John and I were walking out of that room instead of being on a gurney like the last time we were there.

I also stopped back by the Heritage Care Center  in American Fork where I stayed 3 weeks in rehab once I was out of intensive care in Provo. I made cookies to take back to the staff that were so kind to me while I was there. 3. Eric, my PT and I were both smiling that I was doing so much better than I was when I last saw him and I could not stand up on my own for more than a few seconds. We both felt thankful for the progress I have made.

4. We were smiling that our Utah kids always make us feel so welcome.

Our jaws ached from smiling non stop the whole time we were there. (I have lots of family pictures I will share with you another time.)

I also had a lovely lunch at our friend, Vicki’s house. She set a beautiful table.

Her delicious soup warmed both my tummy and my heart on that cool day. (Aren’t her individual soup tureens darling!!) Our friend, Claudia joined us. Claudia recently lost her husband to cancer. Her faith and courage touches my heart.    5. I was thankful for Vicki’s hospitality and that I could spend time with these two sweet friends. 

I also got to meet my lovely blog friend, LeAnn. She took me out for a delicious lunch.  LeAnn found my blog after our accident when Marie asked her readers to pray for me. I began getting comments from LeAnn which supported and encouraged me. I started following her blog called Living Waters. I am always inspired by her writings. She is a wonderful lady. I felt like we were sisters as soon as we met, just like I did when I met Marie.  I am sure that we will be forever friends. Take a minute to read both of their blogs. They will enrich your day. 6. Spending time with LeAnn made me smile.

Provo Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls, the crisp, cool air and the fall foliage also made me smile but I will have to tell you about that another time since I have already reached my 6 smile limit.

I am the keynote speaker at our city’s Women’s Improvement Club luncheon this coming Tuesday. I am humbled that they want me to tell our accident story and what I have learned from it. I am praying that I can say those things that will be meaningful and inspirational to them.  Wish me luck.

Once my talk is over, I plan to decorate for Thanksgiving. I usually decorate for fall in Sept. However, since we were gone 2 weeks in Sept. cruising the Panama Canal…. and 2 weeks in Oct. visiting Utah… I am way behind. It is hard for me this year since my ribs are not completely healed and it hurts to use my left arm… but our kids will be coming for Thanksgiving and I want the house to look pretty. That gives me motivation to get it done.

After my talk I will have more time to read blogs too. I look forward to catching up with each of you….. until then…..Have a great week. Hugs, Grammy Lura