Community Easter Celebration
I love living in San Juan County. Last week my too kind and loving wife and I went hiking and found an arch that I didn’t know even existed. As we walked in, there was not a discernable human footprint. I am sure a few cowboys probably know where it is, but not many of the general public. So I can’t call it CaveMan Arch, but as far as I am concerned, it is just that.
I have lived here for sixty-six years, and I was the BLM Field Manager and District Manager for years. How is it that I didn’t even know it was in my own back yard? I have always been proud to be from San Juan County, and I love my red rocks. Wherever I travel in the world I have a folder on my phone called Red Rock Country because whenever someone asks me where I am from, I let them scroll through the pictures. Without exception they are amazed.
Another thing I love about our small towns is that when we unite as a community, magic happens; things become bigger and better than what you expect or can describe on paper. I experience something that moves me on the inside. Like the smell of freshly baked bread.
The Fourth of July celebration in Blanding ranks right up there with one of my favorite events; the fireworks deserve a CaveMan Award. After a long hot day at the Blanding celebrations, I come away pretty dang proud to be an American. I know as a country we struggle, we have a few warts and scratches, we are not perfect, but I still choose America. In this time of political correctness, I still choose Family, God, and Country.
Monticello is putting together a community event for Easter called He Is Risen. Thousands of donated hours, dollars, labor, sweat, and creativity are being donated by members of all faiths in the area to try and give us an experience that might touch our hearts and soul.
In this day of blue screens and phones we see everything but experience nothing. In this digital era, I can use my avatar to win wars in universes that don’t exist but never take the time to visit the nursing home or strip three layers of shingles off an elderly neighbor’s roof. I have the same talk with my grandkids…get outside and build a fort, dam a ditch, raise chickens, or make a whistle with a green willow.
So if you want to experience life 2000 years ago when a simple Shepard offered the world hope, light, opportunities to serve our fellow men, and love instead of hate, faith instead of fear; a completely different approach to life; then come spend some time walking through a humble carpenter’s shop. Instead of googling the great “gate of Jerusalem”, look up from your phone and walk through the gate of Jerusalem and then visit a market with exotic spices, sheep, and chickens. See a wooden chalice or a simple toy boat. See what Gethsemane might have looked like and contemplate what it could mean to you. Be moved by looking up at a life size cross with iron nails in a bucket waiting to be used by Roman soldiers. Come look at a tomb that stands empty because miracles still happen. Then sit for a few minutes and contemplate how blessed our lives are to live here in San Juan County to be able find new arches, celebrate with fireworks and to still choose Family, God, and Country.
Many people have worked hard to create this community Easter celebration and to try and give us a real experience of the life and times of Jesus, a humble carpenter from Bethlehem turned shepherd and Savior of all. He has a simple but profound message.
This is a community event, and all are welcome to attend. The open house style event is held each evening from 6-8 p.m. It runs from April 2-5 and starts at the Monticello Stake Center Parking lot (165 S. Main Street). It will take 15-20 minutes to walk the path that Jesus walked. Dress is casual. The event is accessible to the elderly or anyone with mobility limitations. I have a feeling that this is going to mean more to us and do more for us than googling “But whom say ye, that I am?”