Has anyone out there taken a dog on an airplane before? I have NOT. But my brother Josh drove Bo Jangles up to the lake this year, and the best way to get her home was in a bag under our seat on the airplane. And that was an adventure so hats off to anyone else who has done that!
But let’s back up for a second. Because I want to talk about HOPE too. And reunions with big kids (even though we had just seen them at the lake, but this was different).
Hope
After those last two nights at Bear Lake filled with good talks on the talking couches with different groups I packed up myself and Bo Jangles (Lu was camping in Oregon) and headed to Utah State University to meet with the disability center there. I decided to go in person even though Lu was gone because there’s a lot riding on this college business coming up. And OH I was so glad I went (encouraged by my wise dad who had met the disability specialist there before). I came out of that place wanting to burst with gratitude. You guys, I was so jubilant I could hardly contain myself. The office was completely under construction and we didn’t have a lot of time, but as I sat there with that kind department head I was overcome with the most amazing breath of pure HOPE. We can do this! Who knows if it will be at USU or somewhere else, but this college thing? It really can happen. I just felt so much gratitude and joy for Lucy and her future. And also a LOT of responsibility. Senior year is going to be such a big training/prep ground and that is scary business.
Utah Sleepover
I met up with my dear high school friend at a car wash of all places (trying to try to whip that bug-and-hard-water laden car into shape) and it was a good time to chat for a minute. And then met up for a sleepover with all my Utah kids plus Grace’s friend in Park City.
The six of us (including Murphy) sat on a restaurant patio in Park City eating Thai food under twinkling bistro lights and the sunset, talk, talk, talking. That patio was filled with flower pots that kept Murph occupied. It was so beautiful and I have to say, and fun to meet Grace’s friend:). We met up with Nana and Papa who were up there too, and we had a little party with games and cookies, joined by Josh and Lu near midnight from their journey from Oregon so we could catch our flight the next day.
We flew home the next day and boy howdy it was so happy to get here.
And the fact that we made that flight with Bo Jangles in tow?
It was all fun and games leading up to the flight…but when she had to get zipped up in that bag: not so fun. She was vibrating with fear at my feet the whole time.
But we made it! Hallelujah!
Such a happy reunion with Dave, and then the march to get ready for school to start!!
Grace is what like 23??? You can say boyfriend !!
Ha! Yes I could but some people don’t love being in the spotlight so I try to be careful.
xoxo
While this was my first thought as well, I think you did the right thing by being vague and not making a big deal of your daughters personal relationship on a public blog.
In the Jewish faith, we don’t share much about who someone is dating until there’s an engagement, at which point there’s a big celebration. This is to avoid gossip and unwanted input especially from more distant family and friends, as well as protect the young people getting to know each other in the event things don’t end in marriage.
While it’s always sweet to see young love unfold, their privacy is paramount and as with your other kids, if and when there’s something to share, you’ll share!
Willamette University in OR is a smaller, private university in OR and they are very accomplished at accommodating students with disabilities. A smaller campus seems it would much easier to
Navigate.
I agree, a small campus would be so good for her. Looking for something like that. We’ll have to look into that one, thank you for the suggestion!
xoxo
Shawni- we absolutely LOVE Utah State! My husband attended 20 years ago after getting through high school with a MAJOR reading disability. The people at USU were amazing in that department and provided amazing accommodations for him to be successful! It was still hard but an absolute miracle!!! He tells everyone about his experience there. We have 2 children there and one on her way this next year! (We live in Iowa) Hope is amazing!!!!
Thank you for the encouragement, Jamie! I’m so glad your husband loved it there! We will see how this all goes for Lucy, so much unknown out there, but glad for some hope.
xoxo
Planning to fly with our 25# doodle (Winston) Ohio to CO soon. What type of carrier did you use. Almost looks like a bag for sweaters. He despises the car so the flight will also involve meds. Maybe his own seat 🌷🌷🌷🌷
Yes, does Grace have a Beau? Her fun college days make me feel I spent 4 years in a rural Indiana prison I kind of want a do o er 😁
We just got a carrier on Amazon. We had to squish her in there, poor girl, but she made it! Good luck on that plane with Winston!! Yes, Grace does have a beau and yes, that girl knows how to have fun!
xoxo
There was a nice reference to Bear Lake in the Washington Post travel section!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/08/17/travel-lakes-summer-vacation/
Thank you for sending this, so fun! I sent it along to my family too!
xoxo