A Very Mormon Sunday

I think I've found a home for Dog

The family that invited me over for dinner last Sunday

Turns out they're very Mormon and very nice

Ten miles down the road

Up a long gravel driveway

Sits their large white house

Not large because they are ostentatious

But because there are eight members of the family there

All the kids were under seventeen

With the youngest being six

In an almost surreal contrast to the surrounding desert

Their large backyard has the only green clipped grass I've seen in the county

Needless to say

Dog loved every second of our visit

When we arrived we were ushered through the spotless home

Into the green backyard

Where most everyone was that late afternoon

I was offered ice water but no snacks

Because, I was told they were fasting until sundown that day

It was their family choice

So we played games in the backyard

Throwing the ball for Dog endlessly

Volleyball and badminton came and went

When the sun started setting Dad lit the grill

By the time the last sliver of sun disappeared

Leaving the most beautiful colors lingering in the sky

The food was ready to go

And there were mass quantities of everything!

Tired from all the playing

We all ate heartily

The food was top notch and I suspect mostly organic

It just tasted better to me

I was asked politely if I'd like to talk about their religion

Which I didn't mind

Religion is a favorite topic of mine

And I didn't know much about Mormonism

I learned a lot about them that day

How they lived and what they believed

And while I wasn't too tempted to convert

The way they were living made them happy

And I have to admit a certain degree of jealousy

Dog was jealous too

As I had to coax him into the truck

It's the first time he's had kids to play with

And he wouldn't have minded staying

The sixteen year old son complemented me on my truck

Smiling at it's lack of a top

Asking me when I was going to finish it

I told him I probably would not

I might leave that up to the next owner.

I didn't tell him that as he had said that

I'd decided it would be him

The mom and dad had enjoyed having me

And told me to stop by anytime

Giving me their numbers to call

Offering to watch Dog whenever I needed it

Even asking me where I'd gotten him

And if there were any more with his personality

I shared how I'd found him in a dog pound last year

The personality part was just luck

As we drove home

Dog's head and upper body out the side of the truck

I reflected

I think Dog will like it with them

After a few days I'll bet he won't miss me a bit