Life With Boys

And they did.

It appears too many people were parked along the road and the snow plows couldn’t get through (it was hardly snowing – I pretty sure some uptight person had to stop for more than 10 seconds and called it in), so all of the well-wishers were forced to move their cars into neighbors driveways and to the church parking lot a mile or so away and be shuttled back to our house – or deal with having their car towed. Dumb. But nevertheless we complied. We owe many thanks to the transit companies who helped us out of this bind.

Overall we figure at least 200 people came to share in the celebration – and celebrate they did. The margarita fountain was flowing, the food delicious (thanks to Mindy’s brother-in-law Spencer and the amazing crew at Nacho Mama’s) and the tears were drowned by laughter. It was exactly what she would have wanted — (but I ‘m pretty sure she would have given the Summit County Sherriff a piece of her mind.)

The house was the setting of a festive luau – with 7 inflatable palm trees buried in the yard, dozens of pink plastic flamingos and at least $400 of Corona chilling in the snow. Not to mention the huge banana cake with cream cheese frosting (her favorite) compliments of May (Mindy’s mother-in-law) and her two helpers, Taylor and Hailey.

Although we weren’t sure there would be a party at all when the power went out at 2:30 and the electric company predicted it wouldn’t be back on until 6 or 6:30 (we KNOW it was Mom and Grandma AraBelle messing with us). Finally they gave us some mercy and the power came back on at 4:30 (as I predicted, the guests started to arrive at 5 and didn’t clear out until 1).

It was so wonderful to be surrounded by those who have known me and my family since we first arrived in Utah in 1978. I’m so sorry I didn’t have a chance to visit with everyone and hope you understand I saw that you made it and that meant everything to me. If you didn’t have a chance to sign her book – drop a note on her memorial website and we’ll make the addition.

We were so thrilled to have so many visitors come from around the globe to share in this one-of-a-kind memorial. We hope they will treasure it as we will. And for those of you who were with us in spirit, we appreciate all of the thoughts, prayers, flowers, cards and flamingo stir sticks.

As a special tribute, Brian (Mindy’s husband) put together an amazing slide show – it’s heart wrenching and beautiful and if you knew Lani at all, you should see it (with a box of tissues of course.) Contact Mindy to get a copy – also see Mindy if you didn’t get your shot glass, we have a limited supply available.

We came to a strange realization — now the abode at 1422 Cutter Lane has hosted Four weddings, and a funeral. Weird huh?

What’s next? We’ll just have to wait and see. We plan to inter her ashes (in the blue tequila bottle, emblazoned with the Golden Eagle) at the Park City cemetery sometime this spring or summer (depends on when the ground thaws of course.) And hope we can find a way to go on.