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Show The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 8 Volume IX Issue VIII February 1, 2004 Just the Road and Us . . . By Drienie Hattingh “Just the road and us . . . “ Lynette said in a sort of lyrical way as we slowly made our way through Zion National Park in the dark—not another car in sight. It was a treacherous road in the light of day and even more so at night. At 15 miles per hour, we saw lots of deer standing next to the road and encountered many icy spots as we followed the road through countless switchbacks. Of course, this wasn’t our plan and definitely not what Johan had recommended. He suggested that we leave at 7:00 a.m. so as to arrive at Zion before sundown. But Lynette and I are known for “stopping and smelling the roses,” which consisted of taking lots of pictures, stopping for tea and coffee, and the occasional brownie. Sometimes it meant just stopping to take in the ambiance of a lovely spot. After all, how can you experience a beautiful, serene place through the window of your car? We felt like children in a candy store with lots of money. We knew that we should be responsible and take into account the weather, the time, and when darkness would make traveling difficult, but we were in the moment. Lynette was seeing the West for the first time and I got caught up in it all too—experiencing it all anew through her eyes. A reckless, carefree feeling pumped through our veins as we left Salt Lake City—the open road stretching in front of us, and the car stacked with our favorite country CD’s. Every now and again we sang along with Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Dwight Yoakum, or Alison Krauss. But now time had caught up with us and we paid the price for all the “stopping and smelling the roses.” But it was okay! This is what memories are made of and what we had been dreaming about—two sisters-in-law (via our husbands) who became the best of friends— kindred spirits who love nature more (by a fraction) than chocolates and Garth Brooks and Dwight Yoakum. We did have good intentions. We had left at 7:00 a.m. that morning, but we had to stop for Drew’s coffee at the Valley Market, and get pointers where to find the best coffee on our trip. We left armed with our mochas while the mist was still hanging over Pineview Reservoir. Every tree in sight was covered with a thick layer of frost. It was breathtakingly beautiful and Lynette, who had never seen anything like it, asked if I would take pictures. We stopped at all the turn offs at the spillway, taking pictures of Lynette in front of the beautiful frosted trees and misty surroundings and, eventually, in front of the white trees against a sharp blue sky. A feeling of immense gratitude took hold of me as I looked at her through the lens of my camera—a woman dressed warmly in one of my warm coats, red short curls peeking out from under her hat, rosy cheeks, that lovely smile, and her sparkling blue-green eyes full of anticipation, ready to explore and experience new places. Then we were on our way . . . a good two hours later . . . At Bryce Canyon we stood in awe in front of God’s majestic creations, looking down into the red splendor of the spiraling rock formations covered in snow. “How can anyone say that God does not exist?” Then Lynette burst out in tears and we stood there in the cold crying. This trip was a dream come true. We had been dreaming about it since Lynette became ill with breast cancer. Eight months ago, Lynette and Deon told the family that she was diagnosed with cancer. We are all very close—Johan’s brothers and my sisters-in-law are like my own. We were all heartbroken by the news. As we started praying and Lynette started chemotherapy, an idea formed in my mind. One day after Lynette had another horrific chemo treatment and her beautiful thick long red hair had fallen out, I told her what I’d been thinking. “Lynette, after all of this you must come and visit us here in America, in Eden, between the mountains, to recuperate in the fresh mountain air. This can be something to aim for at the end of the dark tunnel.” She loved the idea. I knew she would love the West, as I do, with its harsh, beautiful scenery. We started planning our trip. Zion and Bryce . . . definitely! Having seen pictures I’d sent to Africa about these parks, she was thrilled to think that she would be visiting them. Sometimes when we talked over the phone, we cried as she related her agony and suffering from the illness. Sometimes we laughed through the tears, talking about our trip and how we might even stop in Las Vegas and have a Margarita at the Paris Hotel. It was all in fun—trying to take her mind off of her pain and suffering. We aren’t gamblers and don’t drink, but for some reason we imagined ourselves sitting in the fancy hotel, a miniature Paris—drinking a special drink after Lynette’s ordeal. I do not think either of us really believed that “the trip” would ever happen. It was a sort of daydream, a way to cope as she battled the terrifying illness. It gave me hope as I sat here on the other side of the world, praying that Lynette would recover and come through it all. Sometimes I was in doubt, wondering if I would ever see her again. I put her on our church’s prayer list, and she marveled at that. “People are praying for me on the other side of the planet!” It was as though we saw the light at the end of the tunnel when we talked and kidded about all the fun we would have—on the open road—just her and me, singing along to our favorite country songs, traveling through one of God’s most beautiful spots on earth—Utah! In a way, driving through the dark Zion with its hidden wonders and then through the dark mile long tunnel, with a mountain of rock above us, was symbolic of what Lynette had come through. All during her illness she was all too much aware of the danger she was in, but her strong faith kept In Honor of Those Who Serve The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS would like to highlight and honor a local serviceman or woman in each edition of the paper. Please send information of family members who are serving in the Armed Forces or National Guard, and photo if possible, to: OGDEN VALLEY NEWS PO BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 Or email information to: slfrancis@att.net or crwendell@att.net Over 4700 Square Feet! Beautiful 6 BD, 3BA, extra shop, new paint, magnificent views. $310,000! Oh the Views! Spacious 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bath. Huntsville home. Spread out on over 2 acres! $289,900! Lots of Space! 6 bedroom, 3 bath home on 2.3 acres. Includes barn and mother-in-law apartment. Creative terms available. $279,900! WOW! 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Huntsville Town her going and, strangely, as we drove through the pitch dark tunnel and up and down and around icy sharp corners during our hour long drive, I wasn’t scared. Next to me Lynette echoed my feelings. “Isn’t this exiting?” And all the time I could not believe that she was really here beside me, that she did come through it all, and that we were actually living our dream. As we reached the end of the tunnel in Zion, it was as though we had reached the end of the tunnel in more ways than one. The next morning we drove through Zion in the bright sunlight and Lynette saw the dangerous road we had traveled the night before, but typical of her, she just laughed. We went on hikes and took lots and lots of pictures of the red mountains of rock and the Virgin River. We loved it all. Of course, we stopped and had tea at Zion Lodge and Crème Brulee and Tiramisu. Then we did go to Las Vegas and to “Paris,” and we did sit at a little café, and we did have a salty margarita and toasted each other. After a conference in Minnesota, Johan joined us in Vegas and took us to see Hoover Dam. Then another longtime dream of Lynette’s was fulfilled when she stood on the edge of the Grand Canyon. On Lynette’s last day in Eden, I invited friends over to meet her, and I asked my friend Elaine to say a prayer. We all stood in a circle in my living room and held hands and thanked God for holding His hand over Lynette through it all, and for bringing her half way around the world to come and visit me. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful dream and, for a little while, Lynette was part of my life and my circle of friends. Our daydream came true and whatever the future might hold, we will always remember our time together, when it was only “the road and us.” Build Your Dream Home. 2.64 acres overlooking Ogden Valley! $89,500 Eden mini-ranch. 3 BD, 2 BA, with a full basement ready to finish. Just $215,900! WOLF LODGE CONDO, 1 Bedroom, Vacation Hide-Away Wood floors, and tile throughout. Furnished. Lots of amenities! Only $75,000 Owner / Agent Dyan Gill 801 644-5853 |