Beautiful Goodbyes

The past few weeks have been full of "See you later", "Auf Wiedersehen", "Au revoir", "Adios", "Zai jian"....and in my native tongue, and the form I've most often heard it, "Good-bye."

Pickleville Playhouse, my second home for the past five and a half months, finally came to a close last weekend (September 11). What an amazing chapter of life to close. I'll admit it's a little difficult to do. I have invested a lot of time and, ultimately, love into my two years there. It took up so much time. I had to sacrifice a social life and frequent dates. I developed more zits on my face than I like to remember. I had to rack up a whole lot of miles on my car. I had to cough up a lot of gas money. I had to drive long, curvy roads while battling with my eyes to NOT close. I had to give up summer nights full of barbecues, friends, family, star-gazing, camping, sharing scary stories, pina coladas, fireworks, and bonfires. BUT...

I wouldn't give Pickleville up for any of that. Honestly. Looking back on my experience up in Bear Lake, I am so grateful for my time there. I owe so much thanks and gratitude to the beautiful Davis Family, who so willingly offered their cabins, food, and love to all of us cast members. They gave me the opportunity to do what I love...perform. They faced such hardships, with multiple deaths in the family. But never once did I hear any of them complain or whine. They love what they do and they have such incredible perspectives on life and the gospel. I couldn't have asked for better people to associate with all summer. Then, there's my wonderful cast members. WOW. Some of my best friends were made through PVP. And oh the memories we had! My heart aches a little thinking of how I won't see them day in and day out.

So the lesson learned from this all? When a choice is made, there is a consequence. I made the choice (two years in a row) to participate in Pickleville. Consequences include: everything listed above and more. But the positive so greatly outweigh the negative. There will be other barbecues. There will be more fireworks. There will be plenty more family reunions and shooting stars. But there won't be many more opportunities for me to perform in such a wholesome, inspiring environment with the most amazing people I could think of.

A piece of my heart will forever live in Bear Lake. In a log cabin. On a stage. Under the hot lights. A little place that I like to call Pickleville Playhouse.
"PVP, PVP, PVP ROCKS!"

Today was my cousin Michael's mission farewell. So at 5:15 am, I stumbled out of bed, blurry-eyed and groggy to get ready. Not the best part of the day, let me add. My family hit the road to Mapleton and arrived in time for his 9:00 am address. What a fabulous program it was. The spirit was so strong in that room, thanks to the comforting and inspiring words of the speakers as well as the humble music. It's days like today that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but with my family forever, basking in the joys that the gospel brings each and every one of us. As the after-party (including the quintessential missionary farewell lunch: pulled pork sandwiches and a smorgasbord of salads and desserts) came to a close, I said good-bye to Michael. My cousin who is exactly one month older than me. My cousin who loves the Jazz more than anyone I know, and supported me when I sang at the Jazz game. My cousin who has been such a pleasure and delight to be around at family gatherings. My cousin who is a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so proud of him for choosing to serve the Lord for two years. In his farewell address, he shared one of his, and now my, favorite missionary quotes. It's the definition of a missionary.

mis·sion·ar·y (noun): someone who leaves their family for two years so that others could be with their families for eternity.

Elder Michael, you will be an amazing missionary.
God be with you till we meet again.

And finally, as lame and cheesy and this may sound, it is that time of year to say good-bye to the garden. Gardening defines the Bagley Bunch. My dad has always loved gardening. Ever since I was a young baby, we've had one. As the primary song says, "The prophet said to plant a garden, so that's what we'll do" sums it up just about right. In fact, my dad loves it so much, he even dug up "cement-like" ground with a crowbar just to produce a few veggies. Well, this summer, he ruptured his Achilles tendon playing basketball. Let me share a photo of the scar.
So he was a little debilitated to say the least. Well what happens when the starting player (or gardener in this story) gets taken out of the game? The back up steps right in! That would be my mother. And let me tell you, what a good back up she has been. The garden this year has produced beautiful vegetables and fruits, thanks to her diligent efforts of weeding and watering on a consistent basis. There is such a sense of accomplishment in gardening. I was able to see my mom in a completely new light as well. She is a very hard worker. She always has been. But seeing her down in the dirt, fighting off massive grasshoppers, and sweating in the hot sun has made me admire her even that much more. What a wonderful example of selflessness she shows me each and every day. And because of that, we have had rockin' crops this year!

Goodbyes are never easy. Granted, some are easier than others, but they are not overly desired in most cases. However, Newton's Third Law of Motion states that:

To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction

Who says that this only applies to motion? No way, jose! To every good-bye, there is a hello. To every closed chapter, there is a new one just itching to begin. And that's where I am right now. As I have been closing door after door, I am now in a hallway with a million news ones that I can open. Sheesh, what an exciting place to be! Life is sweet. It is oh so sweet. Thank you life for being filled with such beautiful goodbyes...