Things that Move Me

I have gotten up early to travel into the heart of downtown Salt Lake City for the biggest parade in the State of Utah and one of the biggest in the nation. The parade is in commemoration of the Mormon Pioneers entering the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Hence the name of the parade...The Days of '47 Parade. This parade is very typcial of parades, so the reason for it is secondary.

On this particular day I am more concerned with trying to keep track of several kids and deal with the sun and heat and get pictures of every float, band or dignitary that passes my camera. I stand for the flag every time I notice when it passes. But most of the time I just sit in my foldable chair spraying the kids with water to keep them cool.

At the start of the parade we all stand for the flag as it passes our view and then we all sit down again. A few entries later I notice people suddenly come to their feet all around me. I look up and find myself on my own feet as well. There in front of us, riding in the parade, is the LDS Prophet...Gordon B. Hinkley. He has not been seen in this parade for several years. As I think about how close he is to where I stand, I am overcome with emotion as I think upon the life of this man. This man has just had his 95th birthday. He has spent most of those years in the service of his God and mine and he shows no sign of slowing down. This parade has now become no ordinary typical parade.

The rest of the parade brings floats and bands, old cars and clowns. I continue with the battle against the heat with the kids until the parade nears the end. I look to see what is next and see rows and rows of men in camiflauge uniforms marching in unison. They are members of our Military Reserves. Regardless of how we may feel about our troups in far off lands or the politics associated with that, these men are in the service of their country...of our country. Once again, I am on my feet as emotions stir and my heart is full.

What a parade!