I
had made contact with different family members about my plans of sending Jenna
to Utah by herself to visit family and we would pick her up in August. It had been a thought is all. It's not that I was trying to get rid of her
during the summer. I just know that
she's been homesick for her brothers and cousins and probably a week would not
be enough for her.
She did want to march in the parade at
the end of last month and this month - only this month didn't work out for
anybody in the group except for Jenna.
We manned the booth instead.
Jenna and I had been assigned for the very first shift, and then she got
recruited to stay (see here). Her actions certainly helped with funds but
even better (in my opinion) was that it gave her a confidence that she has somehow kept hidden
for many years. She enjoyed doing it,
and she enjoyed being needed.
She did taper off that last day
however, palling around with a group of kids - which was also good for
her. In addition, we assist at the library
every Monday (at least for the summer) with the summer reading program, and she
enjoys that. She enjoys the children -
which surprised me. Other than her
cousins (and sometimes even the boys have been exceptions) she has never shown
an interest in children - especially really little ones. But she has often told me how much she misses
Devin and Ally - and she didn't even get to spend that much time with them. I'm happy to hear that she misses them. I really would have liked to spend more time
with them myself. But it doesn't feel
like it was meant to be.
Uncle Ted will be buried on
Tuesday. I wished I could be with the
family again. But I knew before we left
to move out here than it would be highly doubtful for us to go back. I didn't
know the return back to Utah would be so hard on me.
I miss seeing my family. At the same time I am truly excited to watch
Jenna grow and gain new confidences. I'm
glad this summer has been working out to be a positive experience.
