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Mandy


Grandpa







A man of infinite zoological knowledge, a professor.
A man of baseball muscles and skinny legs, a hard worker.
A man of laugh-lines and “sweethearts”, a loving spirit.
My grandfather’s memory is quickly fading away. His mind comes and goes, like an unpredictable tide. Waves, lapping at his brain, tickling his conscious. 
I took care of him today: a ride to the dentist, a hug, a microwaved meal, a watchful eye. 
“Don’t make me a liar,” I said, eyebrows raised. “I don’t want to have to pretend that you took a good nap when you didn’t.”
He laughed, hands in front of him, raised in surrender. 
“You’re a good girl. I wouldn’t make you do that,” he chuckled. I turned back to the sink, rinsing our dishes for grandma. 
“I remember when you graduated from school,” I smiled at the water running over the porcelain, sure he couldn’t.
His voice was serious now, desperate to convey his sincerity. “I can’t remember the other kids, but I remember yours. You’re the one that matters.”
I looked up at him, his back curled inwards, one hand on his chest, one steadying his shaky body. His eyes were filling with tears.
I dashed over to him and wrapped my arms around his thin shoulders. His glasses clawed me from within his chest pocket, as they alway had. That little bite I had braced myself for a thousand times.
I thought of the first memory I possess of my grandfather, his speech at my baptism. I don’t remember the day, I don’t remember anything but his voice and the tears that poured from his eyes. He had shared the story of my birth, how he had fought a cancer I’d never known about, battled it just to see me come into the world. He’d won, he was there. He blessed me and taught me as I grew. I was the little one he’d fought for, I was the one he held onto now, when others ebbed from him mind. 
I smiled at him, and told him I wouldn’t tell that I was his favorite, if he wouldn’t tell that  he was mine.
I will mean it long after he forgets, because he fought for me, and he won. xxx.

In Review




I work as a photo editor for Utah Valley University's newspaper, The UVU Review. These are some of the photos I took for the last few issues. You can read the accompanying articles herehere, and here. xxx.

Pieces of Saturday















A couple days ago, Saturday, August 4th, my brother turned 19. A lot of other nice things happened too; A parade, Highland city's annual Highland Fling, a trip to the Hale Centre Theatre to see The Sound of Music, Sweet Tomatoes, smoothies, salads, and the wedding reception of a childhood friend. xxx.

1/2. The Highland Fling parade (featuring the creepiest float in the world).
3. My Momma
4. My pup, Doogan
5. Dad
6. A friendly police officer
7. My youngest brother, Alex
8. Just me
9/10. The highland games
11/12. My best pal, Connor
13. Connor's beautiful sisters, Maddie and Sophia, on the way to the play



Brunch







There are some mornings when I wake up wanting nothing more than to cook for my family. On those mornings maple waffles grace the table. xxx.