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Show THE Page 8 OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume XII Issue XII July 15, 2005 A Sad but Thankful Heart By Drienie Hattingh This nagging feeling was already with me when Johan and I talked my mother into coming to visit us in Eden, Utah. When I left Salt Lake International Airport to go and fetch her in South Africa I thought of this day. And when I left South Africa with my mother I knew this day was looming in the future. I knew it when we landed at the airport back in Salt Lake, and I knew it was coming when we arrived in Eden and Johan and I showed my mother—for the first time—our “empty nest” between the Wasatch Mountains. I knew that the day would come when | had to say goodbye when I introduced my mother to my friends in this awesome Valley. I pushed this knowledge to the back of my mind when we stood together on the edge of the Grand Canyon and peered into the abyss in total wonderment. I tried to ignore her eventual departure when she stood next to me and marveled at the incredible red rock formations of Arches National Monument. I subconsciously anticipated the inevitable every time she, Johan, and I sat outside on the porch drinking tea and watching the humming birds rise to dazzling heights and then plummet down to earth again. I knew she was eventually going to leave when we sat on the porch one evening—in the last light of the day—with my eyes on Mount Ogden’s snowy peaks that had a pinkish tint as the sun set behind the mountains. And as I sat there, my mind went back to the previous Saturday when Johan, my mother, and I went to Snowbasin It was an amazing sunny day as we drove up the old Snowbasin road with indescribable views of the Valley down below. Wild flowers were blooming around us on the ee as we approached Snowbasin. Whe walked up the path to the gondolas, Ma Rowland greeted us with her usual, infectious Photo courtesy of Dimitria Van Leeuen A tea party was held at the Eden General Store and Diner as a farewell to Ralie, Dreinie Hattingh’s mother, who is visiting from South Africa. spontaneity and assured us that we are about to in awesome ride up to the Needles Lodge. “Look to your left as you go up; we have a lake up there from the snowmelt!” As usual, the ride up the gondola was Long Arm Machine Quilting right here in Ogden Valley. Quilts ~ Bedspreads ~Table Cloths ~ Runners & much more! Hundreds of designs available Pick up and Delivery Norma Aston (801) 745-0703 thought that my mother would be willing to endure such a long trip—coming and visiting us in America. She had had two back operations and several knee operations and, after that, she could not walk that well anymore; we all thought that such a trip would be too difficult and tiring for her. Then she surprised my brother and sisters by saying yes to Johan’s and my offer to come and visit us for three whole months! Our excitement was limitless. Norma’s Quilting Custom breathtakingly beautiful. One could hear the quietness of the mountain as we rose above the Valley, and we heard the mountain streams as they still ran strong with snowmelt. Mother was quiet as she took it all in. There was won- snaston@yahoo.com derment on her lovely face. Up on the mountain, still covered in snow, we had the most wonderful breakfast while enjoying one of the most awesome views in the world. During all of this, I knew that the day would come when I had to drive my mother to the Salt Lake International Airport again and hug and kiss her for the last time in many years to come. All of us who have family in far away lands know the feeling of having loved ones visiting. You make sure you see them every day; from the moment you wake till you go to sleep at night. And then you have to say farewell again—too soon. You wake up one day and the guest room is np "and you have no idea when you will meet again. At the beginning of this year, I never mother during her visit, to a tea party at the General Store. We emptied countless properly brewed cups of tea while enjoying the General Store’s unique, down home atmosphere. We also feasted on their made-from-scratch coconut, banana, and chocolate cream pies while visiting with our friends Now, after almost three months, my mother knows the Valley and my friends very well. She knows where I sometimes sit and write and she knows where Johan’s and my favorite places are—our favorite drives in and around the Valley. She knows where we have breakfast on Saturday mornings and dinner on special occasions. experienced all the breathtaking ways into our Valley—Trapper’s Loop, the Canyon, and the North Ogden Divide. She knows places I like to visit in Ogden—the Union Station, 25th Street, and other places I like to shop. She’s also been to church with me several times, ith my mother’s unique sense of humor, this morning she said, while sitting on the ch, “And I experienced three seasons in three ee while in Utah—winter, spring, and summer! It is such a heartwarming feeling to know that when my mother is back in South Africa and I talk to her long distance, or write to her about whom I’ve seen or where we’ve been, she will know who I’m talking about and will be able to picture the places we’ve visited. She’Il know all of this because she’s been part of our lives and experienced it all. With two weeks left, I will treasure every moment—every pot of tea we share and every experience we are yet to enjoy. | will do all of this with a sad but thankful heart. Gage Froerer & Assoc. (801)745-4221 eam Come True" Home! uilt home & barn. Great Liberty VIEWS! 6,300(+) sq.ft. , 5 BD, creme yt ZA er tub & 000 Call Joan 675-0444 Nay LISTING! 3200 sq. ft. Rambler on 9.25 AC, pool,Horse property, views of Snow Basin sno ane aus Fork River runs thro 0,000. Call Kirk hf ry Oe cee Cries ae Eden Office Wolf Star Condo Condos are going fast! Nice quiet area, views of Ogden Valley , Pineview Reservoir, Snowbasin Ski Resort, Wolf Creek Golf Course. $219,000 lee movie nos 2405 Highway 158 BRANCH BROKER Deborah Hegg (801)745-1538 CACO Ie was REALTOR THINK AHEAD!! This lovely home will be available in September 2005. 3 levels, 3 living areas, 3 BD, 3 BA a great room w/ a grand gourmet kitchen, fabulous views, decks, 2 car garage. Pets okay!! $1500 per month. Deborah 745-1538 Moose Tae EET 3TE 3 werer to golf course. Patio w/ fabulous rock & water feature.Professionally decorated and in pristine cond.. Near clubhouse w/ pool, Jacuzzi, & sauna. $298,000 . Call Deborah 745-1538 EN eared e eT 388-2196 laynesheridan@century 21.com NEW LISTING! Closest condos to Snowbasin & Pineview Dam. 2-story,2 B 2.5 BA, washer/dryer, hot tub on deck El beautiful views. Lakeside Condominiums AMPH) (OF eri mops REALTOR Susan Hansen 710-3833 psortproperties.com < NEW LISTING!Beautifully decorated home. Seasonal stream adds to ambiance. Elegant kitchen ue cabinetry, ou countertops. 4 BD,3 BA-2 F.R. Priv: deck . $239,000. mt a 801-710-3 ere Brick & cedar, 4200+ sq. ft. Rambler on acre of horse property! 3-car oversized gar ge. Secondary water. Excellent condition! $335,000. Call Sue 801-710-3833 $700 SPRING MOUNTAIN Great3 BD, 2-car garage Wolfst onde $875 Call Deborah 745- 1538 NORDIC VALLEY $1200 outdoor hot tub AVAILABLE Layne 388-2196 4 BD, 2 NOW. = 5.99 AC Pristine Alpine setting 45,000 105N . REALTOR Kirk Moore 745-9679 kirkmoorel@aol.com 6.3 AC + creek Snowbasin Rd. $258,000 EDEN TWO (2) buildable lots for HUNTSVILLE 4.92AC- . HUNTSVILLE BA, LARGE PATIO SPRINGS home-3200 sq.ft. 3 BD, 3 full BA, fenced yd. Pets okay $1500 Available 9-1-05 Deborah 745-1538 . BUILDING LOTS RENTALS WOLF LODGE Condo 2 bedroom Deborah 745-1538 x) One of a kind custom home w/ extraordinary views. Contemporary rustic design 5000 sq. STAVE Cet Con ee te PER marble & wood. 4 BD,3 2 FR,4-c: garage. $585,000 Call Seal iC eS or Beaver Creek $79,900 $79,900 each. All utilities stubbed. One (1) is a corner lot near golf course. REALTOR ACTA h aie Joan4c21@aol.com |