Pioneer Day

It has been almost 28 years since we moved from Sandy, Utah. I really miss the majestic Wasatch mountains, fall leaves, Temple Square, a few malls that are no longer there (a lot of people are missing them too! I was a teenager when we moved, I had my priorities!)  I miss it when the fog would roll into the valley so thick that you could hardly see the house next to you. I miss the smell of Lilacs, apples hanging from the trees begging to be picked, raspberry patches I could crawl into and eat my way out, corn fields tall enough to get lost in (usually on purpose!) and stories of family experiences that could take all day to tell. I sometimes even miss the snow! I miss those who have gone on and the places where their memories still linger. Oh, most of all I miss my brothers!

But one of the things I miss most is Pioneer Day. From the parade in Salt Lake to the fireworks that night, the whole day is a celebration on how we, us Utahns, came to be. The pioneers who traveled from other countries, who went through unspeakable pain and sacrifice to travel by wagons across the plains and to make it to the Salt Lake Valley. And then later moved to other places like Mesa, Arizona!

One of my ancestors, John Pack, was actually the first person to enter the valley on July 22nd. He was a major and a scout for Brigham Young and went ahead looking for it, the place to call home. He turned around and told Brother Brigham of what was ahead and then on July 24th, they all entered the valley. I can't even imagine how they must have felt! I love Salt Lake City and the surrounding area and I am so grateful that this man, and many other pioneer ancestors who came to this place in search of religious freedom. I am grateful for my heritage and for the sacrifices that were placed in their way so I could grow up there and believe without fear. And even though the Days of 47 is not celebrated here in Arizona, I gladly celebrate this holiday in my heart! After all, it really was my favorite holiday. (Christmas and Halloween don't count!) Now, if I could just convince them to do fireworks here, it would be the icing on the cake!!!

Happy Pioneer Day!