We aren't pioneers anymore

I truly believe that every once in a while you've got to be a heathen. Put something out in the universe that makes other people gasp and maybe realize you are a little bit human like the rest of them. My church teaches that we should try to be our best selves. In spite of that I'm pretty open that I can be judgmental and not compassionate. I also complain about programs that other people love. Sometimes I work to improve those things, today I'm going to be a heathen. If you are worried about your tender sensibilities and want to pretend I'm perfect go ahead and stop reading now.

I'm not a fan of the often inspiring Pioneer Trek. I realize that many many people have had amazing experiences doing such an activity. I also tend to think if I lived and died as an actual pioneer that I would be yelling at these future generations "I did that so you didn't have to. Enjoy your air conditioning, sunblock, and deodorant." Had I been an actual pioneer I would have probably been a horror story swept under the rug as sunshine gives me hives, I would have needed a wet nurse for any of my babies to survive, my crazy would have me institutionalized, and I'm a much too strong willed women to have lived in 1847.

All of that being said, yesterday I got the opportunity to visit This is The Place Heritage Park with my 2nd graders and their class field trip. It had been a really long time since my last visit. All I remember was touring Brigham Young's Pink House and wondering how all his wives didn't kill each other while living under the same roof. I'm pretty sure that the official village wasn't all that official and nobody was walking around giving talks about what things were actually like in the day. It was hot and dusty. That paired with the fact that I am very happy I don't have to live as a pioneer I hadn't returned.

Luckily yesterday wasn't hot or dusty and we got the special field trip package (which is probably what people normally get but was new to me). Here are some things I learned during the visit.

• I'm really grateful that my barber doesn't pull my teeth. I remember a story about my grandma having to have all her teeth pulled with no medicine. When the barber was showing us his instruments and explaining the process I grimaced thinking of my poor grandma, so much so that the barber commented on it. I much prefer my dentist with Novocain and Movie Glasses. 
• Though I'm often still overwhelmed by my "small" house and all our stuff that tends to make it feel like it's barely escaping exploding at the seems, I'm grateful it is larger than one room. And that I don't have to sleep on the floor with the rats. Or do chores from sun-up to sun-down and beyond. Watching the kids beat the rug, plow the field, wash and iron the clothes, and milk the bears I was even more thankful for my washer and dryer that wash and dry the 13 loads of laundry each week. All I have to do is load them and fold the clothes. Easy Peasy. 
• The livery was super cool. I'm glad I don't work there.
• It was fascinating to learn how pioneers died wool, and all the items they needed to get certain colors. It was fun to watch the kids card and know it's okay that I give my kids chores. If four year olds could help comb the wool for yarn, my seven year olds can definitely vacuum the floor and unload the dishwasher. 
• We ate lunch in the Bowery. The birds had found the baskets full of lunches and managed to peck their way through a few of the brown bags. The building was nice and cool with shade and a breeze. It had an even cement floor and tons of benches and tables for us to eat at. Though dances would be fun there, I'm glad I never had to sleep underneath the willow boughs while my house was being built.  

Overall it was an extremely fun outing and I loved hanging out with my little group of seven year olds. As we left the park and headed to our big yellow bus for the return trip home somebody found (and I believe tried to pick up) a live snake. It was exciting, and I was glad that we were leaving it behind. 

I came home to my real life. To a world of heated debate over so many things that were never even dreamt about by pioneers. Yet somehow we try to maintain those pioneer standards of piety. This morning Zac decided not to continue reading a book that contained swear words. Scott and I have stopped watching many TV shows we enjoyed because we could no longer stomach the content. Youtube - enough said. No longer do we need to spend all day working to feed and clothe ourselves, instead we get to spend all day trying to keep nastiness out of our lives. 

I'm sure there were many pioneers who woke up and said I don't want to walk and walk today but did it anyway, just as we must go out each day and face our own mountains to climb. It isn't always easy. Maybe it isn't ever easy. But just like the pioneers, we aren't alone. For still "Some must push and some must pull, as we go marching up the hill. So merrily on our way we go, until we reach the Valley-o." Maybe I'm not so unlike those pioneers, but I still don't think I'll ever want to walk in their shoes. Ice cream and toilets sealed that deal for me long ago.