A Special Thank You!

From Friday, April 10, 2010

A note of thanks: When Dick, Becky and Cameron were here in New Zealand, we took a circular trip over the Southern Alps, through Lewis Pass, over to the west coast and back over Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch. We were enjoying ourselves, having the best time and seeing beautiful country when the Mazda died..dead, dead, dead. It was an older car but in good condition, so we were surprised. So Jack and Dick left Becky, Cameron and I with the car to hitch a ride for help. Becky proceeded to teach me how to crochet hot pads while Cameron went panning for gold. Jack and Dick found a van driver who was taking a couple back up the road about 10 kilometers to the train which was heading back to Christchurch. We did have some insurance to tow the car to the closest town and we were able to rent a car later that evening. Now this seems simple in the telling but wasn’t quite so easy. But even later that night I realized some amazing things. New Zealand is a really safe place and the people are extremely kind and helpful. We were definitely blessed in our travels. But I think we were blessed with family being there. Dick was amazing at dealing with the situation. Cameron saw an opportunity to get a little extra cash…wished he had found gold. And Becky again showed her talent in laughing at the situation and being extremely adaptable. Thank you! Things were tense at times but wonderful memories were still created. Some of my most favorite memories were times when things didn’t always turn out: pushing the VW up Smith Hill in a rain storm trying get to Dad on Cedar Mountain for Family Home Evening, going to the St. Louis Zoo on the hottest day of the year when my car died, and Jack would say that going down with Coy and Tyler to have his brain tumors Gamma Knifed was one of his favorite days that year. And remember, it was Cameron’s first train ride; lemons into lemonade. Thanks Guys! You were wonderful.