My take of Lynea's embracing life

Lynea's description of family activities that embraced exciting family times brought back some wonderful memories. I have been thinking how easy it was to get our family excited about going somewhere and doing something that was different or exciting. It was easy because Bryce, Lynea and Terry were always up and at it kids. When it was suggested we go with the Allred's to Antelope creek, each of the kids started putting things in the car. The old blue station wagon couldn't have been very comfortable for them: Lynea and Terry, toe to toe on the front seat with Bryce on the floor of the passengers side. It was first hot and stuffy in the car and then cold. When we brought in air, mosquitoes also came in and made us cover our heads. The creek, little fish, worms, bugs, the fire, and stories must have made up for the discomfort that accompanied such trips.
What I remember most is that everything interested each of you kids. Nothing repelled you. Everything was an adventure. I found this particularly remarkable in Lynea, the little girl. We expect boys to like frogs, bugs, tramping through weeds and trying physical, perhaps dangerous activities. Boys are supposed to be tough. But Lynea took a back seat to no one. She was always part of the gang. She wasn't pushy but always held her own in interest, adventures and physical activities. She was interested in everything and could do anything her brothers and cousins could do. She was anxious to try and often did better with less practice. I think she took the discomfort and hardship that accompanied camping, riding in the boat, car travel and skiing with less complaining than any one else.
Old Fritz was Terry's birthday present but was part of us all. Fritz didn't have to mind Terry except if he knew I was watching. Fritz knew Lynea loved him to death but when she raised her voice he had to get serious. Bryce was the teacher and big brother. He had expectations and was willing to work for them. Old Fritz complimented and reflected each of our personalities.
It was easy to be active and embrace life because of the attitudes and efforts of each of you kids. You all got excited with a suggestion and started to help. You packed the car, unloaded it, rolled up the old tent. You were game for mountain climbing with the Jeep, boating trips, trips in the camper, even if just up the canyon for a night. We had some wonderful night rides in the mountains on the Honda's, Bryce and Terry's wood project, the paper route, target shooting and hunting with old Fritz. These were all Lynea's activities as well as the boys.

When ever the boys wanted permission to do something which they thought I might question, they would get Lynea to ask me. " Dad can us kids hike up around the hill" "Can us kids have a romp" "Can we have a Tony "Fritz's story" "Can we get a cat" "Can us kids go to the little fair" The natural tendency is for a Dad to respond to such requests with a "no" and then start to think up a reason. That was not easy to do when it came from a little girl. I know the kids snookered me in to doing all kinds of things that were not always wise and often pressing the limits. It's a miracle something terrible didn't happen to us all many times.

Water skiing was quickly learned and the kids did it even when the water was cold and the equipment didn't fit very well. Snow skiing started out with all three kids following their mother like baby ducks down the hill in a wide snow plow. I can see it now so plainly. In a week or so Terry was bombing down the hill, mostly out of control, Bryce was parallel skiing and Lynea was doing everything I could do only with much more grace. I remember being particularly brave and blasting down through the trees in the powder. About two thirds down the hill I crashed into a hole and had to spend the next 15 minutes trying to untangle and dig out. When I got my head up and could look up the mountain. Lynea was standing there cool and serene and ask me "Are you ok Dad?" Of course I was ok. What was she doing out in that hard to ski and dangerous snow anyway.
The Honda's were a lot the same. Lynea was comfortable on trails that took all my courage. She had balance, composure and confidence. She could do obstacle courses on the lawn that I wouldn't try for fear of failure. She would jump in the cold canal water while the rest of us put our feet in and then whined. I and Lynea took a Honda ride up to porcupine lake one spring day. It turned out rainy and cold. I was freezing and suggested we ask someone to take her down so she could call her mom to come and get us. No she said, she wasn't any colder than me and we could go back to a phone together. When we got down to Avon we bought garbage sacks, cut out holes for our heads and arms and road back to Logan dry and warm.
I hope Lynea and the boys will always remember these and thousands of others experiences like them. Each of my kids has had this spark of adventure, this desire to do exciting things with others. They have a wonderful sense of humor especially for the absurd and ridiculous. I expected this in the boys, but to have it in my daughter and in spades is a very special gift.