A Weekend in St. Charles with my Mom

My mom and I decided to take a quick trip up to Illinois so she could visit her brother. It had been 10 years since I’d been there and 4 years for my mom. So it was a highly anticipated trip and we had an absolutely wonderful time!

We flew out on a Saturday and the flight went by so fast! Uncle Ronny and Aunt Marie picked us up and we couldn’t help but stare out the window as we drove away from the airport and towards St. Charles. It was SO green! And so many trees! And CORN! We grabbed a pizza and sat down together as we chatted and caught up on life. Walking into Muzzie and Papa’s house brought back so much nostalgia and tender feelings of love and comfort. That house is a sanctuary and I’m so grateful it is still accessible and has stayed the same these many years. Muzzie and Papa built the house in 1966 and much of the furniture is the same. The windows have panes and are low to the ground. There are skylights and a charming chandelier in the bathroom. The beds are cozy and the carpets are thick and soft. The bookshelves are quaint and the views cannot be beat. I just LOVE that house and that piece of property. Muzzie was 45 when she designed it all and it’s fun to think of what life was like for her back then in the 60s- after so much success, the reward of this beautiful home.

We sat around the kitchen take for HOURS as Uncle Ronny regaled us with family history. Rondo Law was 7 years older than Muz when they married- just 10 days after her 18th birthday. He’s graduated from BYU and joined the military, already beginning his career as a pilot. He received his wings, they got married, and off the went down to Coronado Island in San Diego. As the temperatures began to cool substantially in Filmore, Utah (from whence they came) San Diego was sunny and warm. What a time to be married and beginning their love story. Soon after that, Muzzie became pregnant with Uncle Ronny and they got orders to be stationed on Honolulu in Pearl Harbor. Rondo kept a meticulous flight log book that was fascinating to see. Uncle Ronny showed us all the dates and locations of Rondo’s many, many flights. It was incredible! Uncle Ronny was born in Honolulu in February of 1941 and Muzzie’s mother, Christa, and sister sailed out to be with her. Life was nothing short of a fairy tale. Though the war in Europe raged.

2 months later, Rondo received sealed orders to report to a navy ship where they set sail from Hawaii, passed through the Panama Canal, served in the Caribbean, and finally docked in Norfolk Virginia. Muzzie was then given instructions to move out of Hawaii and travel across the ocean and the entire length of the United States to join him. The day she was set to arrive, he attempted to fly an aircraft new to him and he crashed into a small forest of trees and died. Uncle Ronny was 4 months old.

19 years old with a newborn baby, Muzzie was a widow. Her entire life was tuned completely upside down. Knowing she needed to somehow provide for her little family, she was encouraged by her parents to attend school in Salt Lake City and became a secretary for Beneficial Life. It was there, on the top of the Hotel Utah she was introduced to my grandpa, Richard Ziegler, on a blind date. After attended Colorado College and Cornel University, my grandpa enlisted in the Navy Air Corp and spent some time being stationed in Ogden. I’m sure there was a moment in there budding romance where the question was asked: Will you come with me to Alaska where I’m being called to serve? Will you follow me? Will you marry me? And so, she did! And they moved to Alaska where, 4 months later, he too was in a horrific accident. His convoy unit slid off the icy road and they were stranded in freezing temperatures for 14 hours before being rescued. THEN, the recuse vehicle spun off a windy road, rolled 14 times, and landed precariously on the edge of a 1,000 foot cliff. Luckily, his life was spared.

On August 27th, 1945, shortly after WW2 officially ended, my mother was born in Alberta, Canada and the little family was able to return to America where they settled in Geneva, Illinois. There, my grandpa continued working for Cornel Baker at the Baker hotel and managing Mr. Bakers other properties. My mom and Uncle Ronny lived a very charmed life with a nurturing, kind, beautiful mother, and a wise, devoted, caring father.

Driving around Geneva this weekend, I was able to see the tiny home near the River where my mom first lived, her home on Lincoln where she spent her childhood and teenage years, and of course, we stayed in the majestic home Muzzie and Papa built the year my mom was married.

We shopped around 3rd street and visited my mom’s favorite store- the Little Traveler. We got candy and chocolate at Graham's and were lucky to get a little private tour of the Hotel Baker- still as grand and elegant as ever before.

We went for a big walk around Innisfree- Uncle Ronny’s luxury subdivision where multi million dollar mansions are being erected. We picked up acorns and maple leaves and spied on squirrels and deer leaving through the trees. We stayed up way to late each night talking and laughing about everything and anything. We had a delicious steak salad dinner and yummy apple cake dessert and afterward, played card games with Rondo and his family. Rondo is doing better than ever with his dealership business and I’m excited to come back with my crew and borrow one of cousin Rondo’s RVs for a trip to the Mississippi River and down to Nauvoo.

It is so quiet in St. Charles. There is literally no noise unless you count the falling rain or rustling of the trees. We slept so well each night and soaked up all the sights, sounds, and smells. It was so wonderful traveling to Illinois with my mom. She is my best travel companion. We best to the same drum and always have a good time together. It was easy and smooth and an all around most enjoyable time. How grateful I am for her.

And for my eternal extended family and the sacred ties that bind us. How thankful I am for our faith and knowledge of a kind and loving Savior and for His restored gospel. Not only was that home gorgeous and comfortable, but it was filled with the spirit. There is no denying the covenant strength we felt as we were together. Muzzie worked hard her entire life to ensure this for us and I sure won’t let her down. Our legacy is something to be extremely proud of. Rondo paid to ultimate price for our freedom and passed down a heritage of hard work and determination. Papa was generous, smart, and a great leader. His business sense and civic duty set the bar. The list of his accolades and accomplishments is long. Muzzie was the i breakable tie and bound us all together. Her love encompassed ALL. I want my children to know how incredibly blessed they are by their progenitors. Not only do I love them beyond measure, but so does their Nanny, and so does their Muzzie, and on and on and on. For eternity. The heavens are cheering them on. Today, tomorrow, and forever. They are not alone. You are not alone. You have MUCH to be proud of and have been endowed with many priceless gifts.

I hope someday soon I can take my kids to Illinois! It truly is a special place.

Uncle Ronny showing us his safety gear for when he's driving the tractor around town.

Uncle Ronny showing us how his pants got chopped by a chainsaw that slipped out of his grasp. The blade cut his pants but stopped at his garments!

My Mom's childhood home.