In a lighter vein than recent writings conveyed, I want to talk about some things I will do this summer. First, I will be visiting family in Texas while I engage in what probably will be research for my last book while in the academy. I love visiting family because they have always been my first priority. When my wife and I had younger children we sacrificed financially to be there at their little league games, plays, school activities, and to "set up and arrange things" in church so they would have a great experience in their activities. Every Fourth of July or other holidays, my wife and I would open the church building and invite all the kids over to spend a day playing sports, dancing, learning crafts or just hanging out. Most of the working class families rarely had the day off so we became the communal babysitters. I can't say that my kids always enjoyed it but surely Alex and I did.
Alex and I also love to travel. While she is now partially disabled and can't be in the car for too long, Alex enjoys seeing the scenery and stopping at different places to take pictures or buy "little things". In those moments we talk about both simple things and about things we have read in the most recent book, or seen in some documentary or news program. It is also a time in which I design my book projects because I have no better listener--and critic I may add--than my dear companion of 40 years. Her companionship on these trips has made them a wonderful time. My colleagues go to Venice, Brussells, Tokyo, etc for their research trips while I go to Edna, Crystal City, Beeville, and...you get the point. Without her the Church's Fried Chicken and the cheap motels would be unbearable.
Years ago we had a grandson who accompanied us to all these trips and the few cross-country ones we took and made life even more fun by forcing us to stop at every zoo and museum along the way. It is also great visiting him again, now that he lives with his mom, and having long conversations. This summer we plan to write our first short story together. What a wonderful thing to look forward to. He will--so he says--also take his grandfather "to school" on the tennis courts. Of course I will also get to see five other grandchildren, two daughters and a son-in-law and have a ball of a time with them. Each one of them is a joy and present me with opportunities for learning and fun. There are two other tennis players in the field, a cheerleader, and two younger ones that can wear me out while giving lots of joy. The only sad thing is that I will be leaving four other grandchildren here at home but I've been enjoying them this whole year.
All of this will simply mean a better research project because I research and write more when I'm happy. I plan to finish my memoir this summer. Three years ago several presses rejected them citing a number of issues. Just recently, one editor said it had been a "mistake" that had haunted her for three years. I think that when it comes out there will be others who will probably feel the same (or so I think). But in all honesty, I think it will be much better now, and a number of "issues" that prevented it from getting published have been resolved. As that editor said, in her apology, "I was a bit naive and didn't realize what you meant to the field and that you were a big part of that (Chicano) movement". Okay, a little bit of an overkill but it made me feel good.
I will also be looking around for a place to call home in Texas. There is a good possibility that I will be moving back after I retire here, and yet I have to admit that I love Utah. I'm made many friends and I just love the landscape. And in all honesty, while I like change, I don't like thinking about it. After many years away I admit that I am more Utahn than Texan but I still have lots of family and friends in the Lone Star state.
This month three very special people in my department retired and it is getting to where the overwhelming majority of the colleagues I knew when I came here will soon be gone. It is strange to see the old go and the new come in. While I always try to strengthen the bonds with the new faculty, I admit that I feel a bit strange without the old colleagues. So, going to Texas will provide me an opportunity to think about the future and what I can do to keep building the bonds with the younger faculty, all whom are great people. The beauty of working at the BYU history department is that the colleagues are respectful, kind and don't spend their time undermining the other people in the department, as it often happens in other universities. After a good, relaxing summer, it always good to come back to start the new semester. For some reason, I feel like the coming academic year will be good, but only after a great summer.
