Cemetery Caroling

So I have been trying to involve myself with the Carr's and their family traditions for the last few months. I am getting myself comfortable with big family's just in case I have to be a part of one someday and I don't want to freak out anybody with my stupid phobia's.  I should start out by saying the Harrison's live across the street and they are Mama Carr's brother and sister in law, her sister in law is Finnish.  In Finland they have a tradition of lighting candles on graves and singing carols to them, and it has started a trend in the Provo cemetery and there were a ton of luminaries all over, in fact it looked more like a popularity contest. The Carr's lost a son some time ago (20 years?) and Papa Carr's dad passed away as well. So around 10 o'clock PM we headed down to the Cemetery, stuff was kinda stressful because we (they) had a lot to do before hand, there was a bit of cute bickering between parents. We sung at Nathans grave first, we lit a small candle, placed it on his head stone and sung o little town of Bethlehem. We then headed over to Summer's grandpa and the fun started. We looked for this headstone for the better part of 30 minutes, both Summer and I running from one end to the other looking for sunken in stones that were covered in snow. Her mom kept telling us the vicinity of the grave and we kept looking and giggling. It was bitter cold and even though I had on two coats, mitts and snow boots I was starting to freeze. We were having so much fun running around looking for things I was feeling more comfortable than usual surrounded by the dead, in fact I was loving it. After a while we were about to give up but I really wanted to sing to this stranger and right before we headed back to the car we found the headstone...uncovered and sitting directly next to mama Carr! After we had a good laugh we sung a goofy song about NOT cussing (apparently Grandpa Carr's fave...he was from NZ) and a sweet Christmas tune then we headed home, and I kicked myself in the pants for forgetting my camera. On our way out I was struck with so much peace and I was so of full happiness I grabbed Papa Carr and gave him a big hug then professed my love for him and his family. It's odd to me that being in a grave yard at 1030 pm, on Christmas eve would have such an affect on me. This experience has been different and a bit life changing, in the sense of I have a greater understanding of love for family that have passed on, and I know its reciprocated no doubt...It was beautiful. We came home, had wassail, and watched White Christmas. Then life went on

Speaking of NZ I just have to tell you....

So my friend Heather is going to NZ for a study abroad trip and I was spending time with her before she left. We were being girls catching up and discussing what she was going to be doing. Her major is Rec Therapy so this is literally going to be stuff she will be using later in life, skills in hiking, swimming, biking etc.  Anyway here is how the conversation went.


Laura: So you're going to be doing a ton of hiking huh? Gonna go and hike Mt. Doom??

Heather: Yeah! We totally are!

She was serious.

Then I laughed at her and informed her that Mt. DOOM doesn't exist and neither do Hobbits, Orcs or crusty bearded men with beautiful, buxom, elvish girlfriends. I may have made my friend look stupid but it was worth it, and I did it with love of course. Then I made her give me stuff so I won't forget her...I do that a lot with people I love.