Keep Moving Forward: Witches Night with the Ladies

It's October and that means a few things to most people. First it's fall, the leaves are changing the air is crisp and I must say to me this time of year is heaven. I took a ride up the canyon last week and as I was driving up I was so drawn to the colors and the thought came to mind. When I get to Heaven, this will be my paradise. There is something about all the fall colors that just make me feel warm and hugged. When I think about it, it seems to me that Heavenly Father planned this time of year. He wanted all of us to be warmed by the colors of fall to feel natures hug to us before the cold of winter comes.

Second it's Halloween and with Halloween comes Witches Night at Gardner Village. For those of you who don't know what Witches Night is, let me paint you the picture. Gardner Village is an old mill in West Jordan and around the mill they have brought in and restored old houses, buildings and barns that date back to the pioneer times. In each of these building there are shops. During the Halloween season Gardner Village decorates with lights and animated witches decked out in fun attire and doing all sorts of antics. They are placed throughout the village. On two weekends in October they host Witches Night. During this time ladies and a few brave men dress up in witch costumes and walk around the village shopping and cackling. There is also a DJ and fun music is heard from all over the village. Basically it's a time for ladies to dress up, pretend and have fun.

Going to Witches Night has turned into a tradition for our family. It's a time for Morgan and I to go and have fun with Paul's cousins and occasionally we can convince a friend to join us. It's a time where Morgan and I can laugh and dance and act crazy (not that we don't normally act crazy, but here nobody stares at us like we are nut cases). I look forward to this special day with Morgan. Just like I do with Swiss Days in September. These are special times for us. Memory making times. This year Morgan wasn't able to go she had to work (being a responsible adult does have its drawbacks) and I have to admit it just wasn't the same. The music was still there. There was still dancing and people dressed up in amazing costumes, but without Morgan the fun just wasn't as much fun. I tried to let loose and have a good time, but I just couldn't. I'd see something and turn to Morgan to tell her about it or share an experience with her and then realize, Duh she isn't here. I tried to text her pictures but I knew that would just make the fact that she had to work that much more difficult so I stopped. As I was walking around the village I had the realization that when Morgan goes away to school I'm really going to be alone. Hopefully she will be able to tear herself away from all of the goings on of college and work and be able to come and spend witches night with me. But the reality is, we never know where life will take us. I love that Morgan is an adult, but I miss the days when she was younger and we could plan out life without worrying about work and school. But such is life. Sometimes you just have to face the reality that we have to grow up and sometimes we have to be alone.

This week I am grateful for FALL! I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's color hug. I'm grateful for the time I get to spend with Morgan. I'm grateful that we are close and enjoy spending time together. I'm grateful she is mine!