For Spring Break we went to Idaho. For Spring Break. We went to Idaho. There were reasons for this. Young Padawan's birthday wish was to play in the snow. The kids needed their cousins. Blake and I have kept the grandbabies away too long. When you move that far away from family it's your duty to keep the relationships fueled. So we went to Idaho. For Spring Break.Once settled Mom asked me to put a letter in the mailbox. "Don't forget to put the red thing up." Ahhhhhh. I was home. I was really home. How many times had I heard that in my life? How many times had I crossed the rickety bridge (seemingly more sturdy when snow-covered) to the mailbox and put up the red thing?
When I go home time warps a little. I'm still a kid needing reminders about postal etiquette. Mom still sits on the floor to watch TV in the evenings as we all nestle close to her and steal sips of her pop. (It's called pop in Idaho..still.) Dad makes up "long-leggedy time ago" stories for good kids that brushed their teeth. The potato fields are big and white outside and the Big Tree hibernates, waiting for summer to open business for climbing.
There's such a coziness, a stability, to a childhood home. Like most of my local friends, this was my only home, post-1976-flood. Every aspect of the childhood I loved centered around this home. I was reminded on this trip how much I love being Home. I want to freeze those memories as solid as the icicles lacing its windows. I want to believe nothing will change, that time will warp always and stand still. Right there, in that house.
But of course even in the time-warping things are evolving. As much as things are the same, it's different every time too. My parents are getting older; life changes are on the horizon. Two nieces are growing up not too far away (and a new one just born in February!) who are older everytime they enter. It's fun to see them changing and growing and grabbing sips from Grandma's cup. (Hah! As if they'd be allowed!) The changes are nostalgic too. Really, wherever Grandma and Grandpa (aka Mom and Dad) live is where my childhood home is.
(The Afore-Mentioned Nieces- Above: Addie with my Dutch Baby,
Below: Myself and little Gwen)
Oh, another thing that never changes: Klassy 97.3 still plays Wilson Phillips on the radio. We hear them every time we go to Idaho. This time I heard them twice. The world outside Rexburg has moved on, but not us: We hold on for one more day.
11 comments:
You're tugging at my heart strings. I went "home" for spring break, too! It snowed two of the four nights I was there. Nothing better than a good fire in the early morning to warm you up though. And somehow, the pop from mom's cup just.tastes.better! My mom's pop of choice is Tab. Holy 80's!
I LOVE it! Glad you are back, though. Cute pictures.
The picture of you and Gwen is so cute. I love it.
Snow??? Was that picture from THIS trip? We haven't had any snow all winter. Maybe Rexburg is living more righteously.
Ah. Great post Jenna. I go to Rexburg and think I should take the kids to Yellowstone, Jackson, or Island Park but am content just being home in a time warp.
You live in spring break, so the snow was fun right?
I love Gwen. She's so cute! ☻
There was actually lots of snow in Rexburg, Kelli, but it was old. It's just too cold there to ever melt. You probably picked the right Idaho city to dwell in :)
-Wish we could have seen you as we drove past. One week in Idaho just isn't enough!
Great post. I love pop even though I've succumbed to pressure and call it soda now (unless I'm back home). Beautiful snow.
I want to live in Idaho or Utah sooooo bad.
Great post and totally laughing at 97 playing Wilson Phillips. Yup, I think they play it all the time, that's why I never listen to that station. :)
Loved it Jenn!
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