This past weekend I went to my cousin’s beautiful wedding on the lake in McCall, Idaho. The first night we had a huge BBQ. I enjoyed sitting on the deck with the imperious pine trees looming overhead and the waves of the icy cold Payette Lake smacking against the shore line, watching the sun set while chatting, and laughing with loved ones. We sat enjoying each other until, in my case, my daughter demanded to go to bed.
In the past going to McCall was like returning to the fold of warmth or going home again, but this trip was different. This would be the last trip where we would have family living in McCall. Although I love the beauty and the relaxation that this place offers, most of my fondest memories are of the good times I had there staying with my aunt and uncle who have been like a second set of parents to me. My uncle recently took a job in Alaska so he and my aunt have been getting rid of everything so as not to have to pack a lot with them. It made me sad to go to their house and realize that the breakfast I was eating at the picnic bench style table with my cousins would be the last we would have there together.
My brother and sister were born in the tiny McCall hospital – which is considerably bigger now than it was back then. We lived in McCall until I was four years old – that is when my parents separated. My mom moved us to Boise, but we spent most weekends in McCall visiting my aunt and uncle or nearby Donelly with our dad and his new wife. We knew we always had family there. In 2001 my dad passed away unexpectedly, so that left my aunt and uncle. Now with their move I began to feel as if there really was no reason to return to McCall. That is until the wedding. As I sat and stared at the lake and surrounding forest watching the sun sparkle off of the water, I realized that it is still a comfort place for me. Instead of thinking about what was no longer there I remembered what was there and the memories that this place brought back.
My brother, sister, and I are all grown with families of our own. I want to give my child and their children the gift of McCall. I am hoping that in the future we can plan family trips to McCall where we can rent a lake house and enjoy the warm sun and cool lake.
In the past going to McCall was like returning to the fold of warmth or going home again, but this trip was different. This would be the last trip where we would have family living in McCall. Although I love the beauty and the relaxation that this place offers, most of my fondest memories are of the good times I had there staying with my aunt and uncle who have been like a second set of parents to me. My uncle recently took a job in Alaska so he and my aunt have been getting rid of everything so as not to have to pack a lot with them. It made me sad to go to their house and realize that the breakfast I was eating at the picnic bench style table with my cousins would be the last we would have there together.
My brother and sister were born in the tiny McCall hospital – which is considerably bigger now than it was back then. We lived in McCall until I was four years old – that is when my parents separated. My mom moved us to Boise, but we spent most weekends in McCall visiting my aunt and uncle or nearby Donelly with our dad and his new wife. We knew we always had family there. In 2001 my dad passed away unexpectedly, so that left my aunt and uncle. Now with their move I began to feel as if there really was no reason to return to McCall. That is until the wedding. As I sat and stared at the lake and surrounding forest watching the sun sparkle off of the water, I realized that it is still a comfort place for me. Instead of thinking about what was no longer there I remembered what was there and the memories that this place brought back.
My brother, sister, and I are all grown with families of our own. I want to give my child and their children the gift of McCall. I am hoping that in the future we can plan family trips to McCall where we can rent a lake house and enjoy the warm sun and cool lake.
No comments:
Post a Comment