Let me start by saying, "I love my girls!"
We made Hanna and Morgan go on Trek. This is an object lesson on walking across the plains as the pioneers did. They took buses to Wyoming and then walked about 40 miles as if they were pioneers. They were split into families and pulled handcarts and even dressed as the pioneers did (Morgan was the most upset by the clothing). They left at 4:30 am on a Tuesday and returned Friday at 6 pm. I went to meet the buses with hesitation. I was afraid they would both hate me when they returned.
Once the buses stopped it was mayhem. Pioneers everywhere. I walked into the crowd honestly fearing the wrath I was about to receive.
It seemed like I walked around forever. Finally, I felt my girls on either side of me. BOTH of them were smiling.
I started to cry. I was so happy that they were home and had smiles on their faces.
They were stinky and dirty and look at Hanna's hair.
Morgan had her pioneer clothes off before her second foot was off of the bus.
BUT, let me say it again. They were BOTH happy!!
They both had cute friends that went with them.
They were welcomed home by a sign made by Emmie and Haidyn.
I took the girls to dinner that night. They both told stories that made me laugh and cry. In the end they both loved Trek. They said, "Don't get me wrong, it sucked and was so hard, but we loved it."
To which my wise friend and neighbor replied, "Doesn't everything worth having/doing suck sometimes?"
I realized that I sent my daughters on Trek not as much for the experience, but mostly because we made our son go 4 years ago and I did not want to deal with his wrath for not making the girls go. (Remember pregnant and taking the path of least resistance) What they came home with was an experience that they will never forget and a respect for hard ships faced by many of their ancestors. Not to mention friendships that I am sure they will treasure.
On Sunday Hanna spoke in church of her experience on Trek. I would never be able to do justice to the wonderful talk she gave, so I won't even try. I will simply leave it at this.....
"Oh the things I learn from my children...."
