Last week I learned that the father of a dear friend of mine had passed away. This was a man who let me run wild in his house, laugh much too loudly and talk incessantly while he patiently drove us from place to place, smiled when he saw me, prayed for me in their family prayer on nights I slept over, always used to greet me with a "Well, hello there!!", was forever whistling a happy tune, doling out candy on Sundays, and wore the most fabulous turquoise jewelry. Mr. Winkler was a kind, patient, and sweet man. I never heard him raise his voice or speak sternly in all the years that I've known him. I was blessed to have his quiet and gentle influence in my life. One of the biggest gifts that Mr. Winkler (and Mrs. Winkler) gave me came in the form of their amazing daughter Naomi. If you are ever lucky enough to have a friend like Naomi in your life you hold onto her tight. Naomi's sister Betsy said to me "I don't know what it is about Naomi but she has such a knack for staying in touch with people. She is so good about keeping all her old friends in her life." Here's the secret...her friends don't let HER go. We know the blessing she is in our lives...the true, loyal, and steadfast friend that she is...and I'm afraid she is stuck with all of us for life. She has walked some very dark roads with me and has also shared in my greatest joys. That is a rare and priceless gift. So thank you Mr. and Mrs. Winkler for raising this amazing daughter and awesome friend.
Once we heard the news about Mr. Winkler...Tyler and I immediately starting making plans for the world's quickest trip to Utah. Boy. We packed a ton into the shortest amount of time and ended up getting to experience the sweetest and most loving celebration of a man's life, having a little get-a-way just the two of us, and eating our way through the state of Utah. The alternate title of this post could be: What Kristin Ate.
We arrived in Utah just in time to meet Kirk and his girlfriend Meki for brunch at a new restaurant in SLC that was FABULOUS...The Pig and the Jelly Jar. I highly recommend it. They serve Chicken and Waffles!! Clutch the pearls this may have been the most heavenly meal I have eaten in a long time.
The two smart people below... who had the foresight and culinary daring to order it as it is recommended to be eaten: chicken on the waffle, egg on top of the chicken, smothered in maple syrup and Frank's Red Hot Sauce on it. Heavens!! It was fabulous. BTW...you have to request the egg specially but it is well worth it. Every bite was amazing. For the vegetarians in my life...waffles with maple syrup and hot sauce is oddly really good.
If only the picture could do it justice...
After a nice visit with Kirk and Meki we continued on down I-15 to Moroni, Utah where Tyler's mom and step dad live. We haven't been to their house in about 7 years basically because they live all the way in Moroni. It is easier to have them meet us in Provo or SLC at Tyler's brother's house. We had a nice visit with Judie and Joel, ate more, took a quick nap, and got ready to attend the viewing.
It was so nice (I hate to say fun but it was) to see Kevin and Naomi and their cute family. (Kevin was Tyler's best friend growing up so it works out rather nicely.) We love them dearly and it was nice to share some serious laughs (even though it was a viewing) with them. They are hysterically funny...and laugh we did while catching up on the latest with our families. Naomi has cloned herself in her daughter Oliva. She looks just like Naomi did as a kid. Kevin has cloned himself 4 times in his 4 sons but particularly in his oldest son Parker. It was the trippiest thing ever for Tyler and I to chat with Naomi and Kevin of the present and Naomi and Kevin of the past simultaneously. Craziness!!
It was so nice to see all the Winkler family again and Iralee and her family and catch up on the latest. Man kids grow up fast!! I saw old neighbors from the dell (besides the Winkers) and it was so fun to see everyone. Mrs. Winkler is an amazing person and I just love her. It was good to see her and give her a big hug in person.
After that Tyler and I managed to squeeze in more food...
There is an urban legend in Spokane that says that the owner of our local hamburger place Delish's was once an employee of In-N-Out burger and then started his own place here with all the secret recipes. I will give Delish's a thumbs up. If I do eat a hamburger in the state of WA I eat it from there. They are good. But they are in no way an In-N-Out burger by ANY STRETCH of the imagination. Okay... I am really hungry now.
The next morning we got up and ate a delicious meal prepared by Joel and headed back to Orem for the funeral. It was such a neat service for Mr. Winkler. I loved hearing all of the sweet memories that were shared by his children. He definitely left this world a better place for all of us. I was so inspired.
I loved the thought shared by Naomi's brother Ben...that many years before perhaps many of us were gathered together to provide love and support for Keith Winkler as he left his home above to step into the unknown of earth life...and that here many of the same people perhaps are gathered together again to provide love and support as Keith Winkler once again steps into the unknown (to us) of death...and has a glorious reunion with the Savior and those loved ones who have gone before. I truly do believe that the special relationships we have had in the pre-existence...we continue share with those special people on the earth...and then those relationships continue on through out eternity.
I also loved the sweet moment shared by Keith's last remaining sister and brother... as Mr. Winkler's casket was carried out...those cute siblings hugged each other and shared a little smile through tears. It as a sweet and tender moment.
I didn't take any pictures of Naomi or her family the entire time. It just didn't cross my mind...and the few times that it did it just didn't seem appropriate to say "Hey! Let's take a picture." All these pictures were graciously shared with me by Naomi.
My darling friend Naomi and the wonderful Mrs. Winkler...piano teacher extraordinaire!!
Na and Kev and their cute kids
After the funeral and saying good-bye to our friends we decided to do some of the things we always want to do when we are in town but never actually do. I was super excited to go to the Springville Art Museum. I just love that place and it had such on impact in my life and gave me my love of art. I couldn't wait to stroll that beautiful museum...but I was denied!! The museum is closed on Mondays. Shoot. Tyler and I did drive around Springville and see how it has changed. I can't believe how much it has grown...unlike Sanpete County which was exactly the same as it was 7 years ago.
We then made our way to Provo. We stopped briefly at the Provo City Cemetery so I could pay my respects at my grandparents grave. I miss them dearly. We also drove by their old house. I cannot believe how huge this old weeping willow tree is now. Enormous.
There is only one cure for starvation in Provo and that is DIEGOS!! Oh yes...it was sublime.
That my friends is the smell of college!! Intoxicating.
After that we did a little quick change in a church parking lot into our traveling clothes or shall I say my only other pair of clothes. Somehow in our little fly-by-night road trip I neglected to pack PANTS!! Can you believe it? PANTS!! Kind of important. Ergo... I had two church outfits...and what I wore whilst driving all night. Yoga capris and a weird thermal sweatshirt. Awesome. (Yes, I am wearing them in the above picture with Kirk but he's my brother... it doesn't really count.) So yoga capris and weird sweatshirt be damned we continued on our shopping, eating, and sight seeing fest. Oh yeah, we also hit the Sodalicious Shop that is much hyped these days on all the Utah blogs. Delish. We got the diet Mt. Dew with mango puree. We had already tried a Dirty Diet Coke and we aren't really fans. We like lime diet cokes...and coconut diet cokes...but the combo...not so much. Also take out the diet coke...gross. We are Pepsi product people. But we will definitely go back because it pretty much is soda nirvana in Utah.
After a long day of remembrance and fun we ended our brief trip with a drive up the canyon. So worth it!! It has been years since I have been in Provo in the fall. It was stunningly beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. Provo Canyon in the Fall is truly one of my happiest places on earth. The smell, the sights...perfection.
How funny that just a week before I was blogging about a sheltered park, fresh mountain air, golden light, crunching leaves, the smell of water and woodsmoke...and then a week later I was there...Experiencing it all!! What a gift!! I seriously can't tell you how good it smelled there. If I could bottle it... I would.
Springdell...How I love thee!!
Then it was on up the canyon with a stop at Bridal Veil Falls. The very sight where Kristin and Tyler met. Introduced by Naomi who was there with Kevin. :)
How lucky was I to get to grow up in this canyon?
After a glorious day of reflection and reminiscence we made our way back home.
We did stop yet again at the last Culvers and the last In-N-Out as we made our way out of the state. We drove through the night yet again...Tyler squashed my idea of another 12 hour ride of relationship introspection and analysis. My favorite road trip activity. He requested a silent ride. Boo. So I slept...there you go. He drove, music blaring, through the night. I did drive once we hit Missoula and we had the sighting of our lives! A ginormous wolf in the middle of the road as we wound down off of Lookout Pass. Huge!! No way that was a coyote!! Thanks to my expert driving skills it lived and so did we...but Tyler was jolted out of a deep sleep whilst screaming. Good times.
We arrived home safe and sound to a quiet house full of sleeping kiddies. Thanks to Reilly for holding down the fort and to Kelley for keeping a watchful eye on the fort.
This is how I am now spending my days... at the gym...undoing the chowfest damage.
