I’m sitting at my table listening to Christmas music and thinking
about the last week. It has flown by in a hodgepodge of events and emotions. I
had two busy days of class and homework and packing, followed by a quick trip
home for Grandpa’s funeral, followed by a few days back in Williamsburg that felt
as if they were somehow in a separate category than normal weekdays.
It was so good to be home. It lasted for little more than 24
hours, but I needed that day there. I arrived early Wednesday morning after an
evening flight and smiled when I saw the snow through the airplane window. (Dear
Snow, Please come to Williamsburg this year!) During the drive home it was so relieving
to be under a wide open sky. (I now understand why people talk about being
claustrophobic on the East coast – it’s not fear, it’s just the oppression of being
continuously surrounded by trees.) By the time Dad and I arrived at the house,
everyone else was in bed. Dad turned in soon afterward. As it was nearly 4 am
EST, I didn’t last much longer, but I stayed up a few more minutes just to
enjoy the feeling of being home (and to read the comics).
I awoke the next morning to a bunch of hugs.
If a funeral can be described as fun, then Grandpa Quilter’s
was fun. Not that it was tear-less, but stronger and deeper than the feeling of
missing him was the same sort of cheerful love that I’ve always felt around
Grandpa. There were good stories and plenty of laughs. It was a treat to see so
much of the family gathered together. I expect that Grandpa enjoyed it, and I
certainly did. What a legacy he and Grandma have built for us.
My trip back to Williamsburg was pleasant. I had a taste of
Grandpa Quilter’s small world and large circle of friends: my neighbor on the
first plane was a woman who knew Grandpa from his years of teaching seminary
where her children attended school and from swimming at the same rec center where
he used to swim.
I arrived back in Virginia to 65 degree weather and trotted to
my car in the economy lot with my coat hanging uselessly over my shoulder. (I’ve
been teasing my family about the temperature. It was 12ish degrees in Salt Lake
City when I left. Grand Junction was around 7. Rexburg was something like -5.)
I spent the next couple of days finishing my regular homework
and trying to get excited about studying for finals. Friday afternoon I helped
set up for my stake’s annual Christmas open house (live music and 100+ nativity
scenes, including a live one). Today I pulled out a few Christmas decorations
(including a new addition from my kind upstairs neighbor). It’s been so nice to
do some things that are completely different and separate from law school.
I didn’t really feel back on schedule until this morning at ward
choir practice. Though I’m not sure that feeling will last since I don’t have
regular classes tomorrow.
On my to do list for this week: take my Torts final, study
for Crim Law and Civ Pro, and squeeze in some Christmas shopping.
