There was a lot of getting ready for Miles departure. From the day he opened his call we had 67 days to prepare for travel and for being apart for two years. There were immunizations and shopping. There was early Spanish lessons and advice to give. Last laundry lessons and cooking tips. There were driving records to send and travel visas to arrange. He needed interviews and to attend the temple. There were of course day to day, work and living and preparing for winter to see to as well. Most importantly there was enjoying the moments that we had. Tina arranged for a last Wyoming family supper the Sunday before his departure.
Through all the preparations I was remiss. I took very few photos. I regret many missed photo opportunities. How I managed to not even think of them I can not understand. We attended the temple in West Jordan. no photo... We attended the following week the Star Valley, WY temple in a snow storm... no photo. Tina's farewell supper yielded no casual ranch photos.
We went shopping and he was fit for suits. It was a family occasion... no photos.
We went to the clinic for shots, had a background check performed and driving record ordered. We marked all his belongings with Miles sewing most of the markings on his clothing himself... no photos.
I did take dozens of photos of the window replacement project..
... and subsequently Caleb and Sarah visiting to say farewells!
The day before his departure we awoke to over 40 antelope on our hill. And!!!.. They finally used our salt lick that we put out for them!!! THAT I have photographs of.
We began the day watching the antelope as they grazed just feet from our living room window. We sat in the new window nook and were excited to see them enjoying the salt lick and pond. We watched as they frolicked on the hill.
Then we had a farewell breakfast of croissants and hot cocoa. We had a relaxing day ahead of us with no where to be. We intended to savor our moments of Miles and then... a banana chocolate chip cookie came between us and our enjoyable day. Duncan had a cookie.
In jest, over the last year or so, Miles has claimed that he wanted to be the one on hand to stab Duncan with the epi-pen should the need arise. Always warning him not to get into nuts unless he was around. Well.. Miles was around.
When it came down to the moment of stabbing, we discovered that it was not as simple a task as had been joked of. Neither Miles nor I were eager to the task. We both knew it was needed and that time was of the essence but truth be told it was more difficult to do than we supposed. This was Duncan's worst reaction ever. He was wheezing, sneezing, vomiting violently and shaking terribly. On top of that he broke out all over in hives. He couldn't stop vomiting or shaking long enough to have been able to give himself the epi-pen as he always supposed he would be able to do. While he was hunched over the toilet bowl, Miles and I held him as still as we could and found the location for the epi-pen and then went for it. It was the longest 10 seconds. (how long it has to be held in place for the medicine to go in) Then the bundling everyone up quickly so we could make our way to the clinic while keeping an eye on Duncan to see if the epi-pen had indeed made a difference and was keeping his airway open enough.
This also... I took photos of.
We drove to the clinic. Miles sitting beside Duncan with another epi-pen ready if needed. After x-rays and an i.v. to administer more epinephrine and some steroids, we waited.
The hives were causing him a great deal of discomfort and he didn't look good. He was on the mend, but the ever present worry... each reaction increases in severity.
After hours of monitoring, we were sent home. We stopped and picked up some more steroids for the week and noticed a sign at the bakery. Only two days since Miles stopped working... Difficulties in re-staffing after Miles has left the town without doughnuts.
Back home again in time for supper, we noticed the antelope again... grazing on the grass by the house. They had enjoyed the peaceful day we had planned.
We haven't seen them since that day. It was as though they came to say farewell to Miles. Winter migration time will see them gone again until May when they will return to have their babies in the Spring. I have an appreciation for the native Americans and first settlers who told time more by the migration of the animals and the seasons than by the pages of calendars and hands of clocks. Miles will return again when the antelope go to their winter home twice hence. And even with our concerns of travel and safety and of Duncan's survival.. the animals will continue their patterns and the babies will come in the spring. There is hope in that.. As difficult as our day may seem. As much as we wish we could slow things down and stop the struggles.. the days continue. The sun rises and sets, whether we see it or not, life plods along.
Children grow up and go out into the world. It is as is should be and things continue.
