Brad had my dad come for an eye check up so that my parents, who were staying at Mitch's house, would not be around and would have some element of surprise when they returned. My dad had cataract surgery about a month ago, so it was nice that my Optometrist brothers could help in his recovery.
We set up tables, arranged flowers, and decorated. Chris went back down to Brad's to pick up Amy, Misha, and Kristen who had had a chance to change and look beautiful. The food arrived, the cake arrived, and most of the family arrived. My other brother, Dallin, lived just down the street from Mitch's, but were waiting on nurses who had come to his house to check over their new baby. Mitch finally went and got Dallin's kids, and Dallin showed up a little later.
My dad
My parents were married in the Cardston Alberta temple.
We ordered our meal from Tucano's in Provo/Orem and it was picked up by the rest of Susan's family and brought to us. Thanks to my siblings who helped make this day wonderful for our parents. They have set an amazing example for us and being happy together for 50 years is an outstanding accomplishment. After dinner, my parents talked about their wedding, the early years of their marriage, having their first three children in quick succession, and going to school. We lived a simple life, but we had lots of joy and love and fun.
I made them a 50th Anniversary book of pictures titled, "All Because Two People Fell in Love..." With six children who have stayed strong in the gospel, many who have served missions, all who have attended college--some with doctor degrees, some with masters degrees, some who have married and started their own family legacies, they have a lot to be grateful for. Their lives and their examples have made a difference to our lives. We also gifted them a lawn mowing-free summer. I was able to find a young man through friends at home who will take care of the lawn mowing for them this summer.
Following the dinner, my family and my two youngest brothers, Shane and Mitch got ready to go to the play "Savior of the World" at the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake. Once again, the traffic was abundant. Chris let Amy and I out a couple of blocks before the Conference Center, and we ran the rest of the way to the Conference Center to get in line. Seating for each section was open and the doors opened a half hour before the performance. We raced along the sidewalk in dresses and heels dodging pedestrians until we finally reached the doors. Amy and I waited in line until the theater doors opened and then I just kind of urged Amy forward and let her get the best seats possible. Boy, did she deliver. She got us seven seats together on the second row in front of the stage. Amazing.
Chris and Misha and Kristen finally joined us after they parked in the lot under the Conference Center. I called Shane and Mitch to find out how far out they were and they were stuck in a traffic at the entrance of the parking garage. At least they were close, but they weren't able to make it to their seats until the play was seconds from starting.
President Eyring attended this performance of "Savior of the World." It was neat to be in his presence. His body guards kept the area surrounding him blocked off as I am sure the public would have descended upon him. Just knowing he was behind was neat.
The play began with the Zacharias and Elizabeth finding out they were pregnant and then portrayed Mary's and Joseph's experiences and progressed until the crucifixion of the Savior and the sharing of the good news of his resurrection. It was beautifully done. I was so touched with the appearance of the Savior after his crucifixion and with the visual of the nail prints in His hands, it brought me to tears.
I love that we were able to share such a spiritually uplifting moment with our children, that they were able to feel the overwhelming presence of His spirit in their lives. As a parent, the responsibility of teaching my children about their Savior and His love for them is paramount.
The traffic was no lighter as we left the performance and tried to return to Brad's for the night. In fact, it might have been a little worse because of the influx of traffic from the performance's attendees. Chris left the carpool lane on-ramp entrance, drove ahead one exit, and got us turned around going back towards Lehi. Mitch called and tried to warn us off the on-ramp lane as he and Shane had been waiting in it for quite some time. We were almost back to Brad's house by then.