The Farm

What you are looking at here is grandpa's barn (my dad). We have had some property up above kamas for the last 20 years, and just in the last five years or so dad has started to build this barn. He wanted a place where he could store is equipment and tools, so that he could begin working on a decent road, and eventually build a cabin. This was his pride and joy! He loved coming up here and working on this building. He built the forms and footings himself; he put up the walls himself, he even put in the trusses himself. This was his baby. And we all loved coming up here and spending time as a family.

About a month ago, we decided it was time for a new family tradition. We were planning the first Platt family campout at "The Farm". We were all really excited about it, especially dad. He began planning the weekend for all of us. Especially for the grandkids. They were going to participate in a little mini-olymics. He prepared games and activities for all of them. He even had Heather make some medals for each of the kids. It was going to be a blast. So, Friday afternoon, we all left for the farm and once there began the setup of the camp. We put up our tents, and started a fire, so we could cook our dinner. We were just so excited. That evening, we cooked our tinfoil dinners and sat around the fire just talking and laughing and enjoying mother nature. Jared and Rachel gave us the best news ever, and most of us were moved to tears of joy for them and their family. We were having the best time! We talked about everything and teased each other. The kids had to go to bed, and since us adults are more tired than they are, we weren't far behind. But we were already planning the next year.

The next day, dad had big plans for all of the grandkids. They participated in a race, and tumbling, and throwing and lifting and even a little archery. They had so much fun and laughed and we (the adults) laughed at them. They loved being at grandpa's farm and seeing his tractor and running down the new road that had just been created. In the end, even though Allie won most of the events, each of the kids were given a gold medal for their efforts and for participating in grandpa's olympics.

Well, all good things have to come to an end. So we packed up and came home. We were home about 4:00 that Saturday afternoon. Around midnight, dad recieved a call from a neighbor in Kamas saying that his barn was on fire. The fire chief called an hour or so later and said that they were not able to save anything. We were all shocked! None of us knew how to react. Especially dad. Sunday afternoon we went back up to the farm to meet with the fire chief. Someone had broken into the barn and used all of dad's fuel he had up there for his tractor and such to burn the building down. We couldn't understand why...what had we done? I couldn't stop crying as I saw what the destruction was. This was dad's happy place, and we were worried about how he was going to handle it.

It has now been a month, and we are just moving forward like most people have to when something tragic happens. Every saturday since then, I have gone up to the farm with dad to help clean up the mess of all that happened. It has been really hard on me, to know that someone did this on purpose and that we still have to come away covered in ash, knowing that the ash was once a beautiful haven for our family. We were surpised one saturday; when we got there, dads neighbors, Niels and Dorothy, were there helping. They had called the bishop and asked for help, and so he, and a group of people from the ward were there helping in the cleanup. It was healing to know that there are still really good people who live in the kamas area. I had almost given up on the town, when nothing was said or appeared to have been done to help. But I am grateful for those that were willing to give of their time to come and get dirty with us. It has been a difficult trial for our family, especially for dad. But is has brought us even closer and we will be always grateful for each other, and that none of us were hurt in the fire. I guess the hard times in life really do make a person stronger. I guess that is what life is all about. I am also really glad to know that I can always be clean after a long Saturday of working in the ash. I look like a coal miner in this picture, but it will always be a good reminder of what we are experiencing and learning.