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leaving her parents had been the hardest thing she’d ever had to do. It was may of 1998 and one of the strangest years on record weather-wise, as well as the year that would soon to be proclaimed as “hanson summer” when their first tour erupted. it was also the summer when sutton walker and her parents, ellie and ethan, packed up their home, her parents going one way and she going another. In her heart sutton knew that the decision her parents had made to become missionaries in a foreign country was one of the most humble and noble decisions she had ever witnessed them make and proved the humility her parents possessed, making her wish she only had an ounce of their determination. but at the same time she knew in her heart that she didn’t posses those same qualities, and knew she wasn’t willing or ready to exert the same amount of time and energy into her parent’s wish. somehow her parents seemed to sense this when they told sutton the news of their opportunity and wish to become missionaries in italy one cool night in tulsa. “i’m not quite sure what to think, mom,” sutton said after her parents had finished explaining their plans for the next year. “i knew being missionaries had always been an interest of yours and dads. i guess i never realized that you would seriously go all of the way over to Italy to pursue it.” she looked down at her worn birkenstocks as she spoke. “we know you’re probably shocked, so we’ll let you think about it for awhile. we know that you may not want to come with us, so we’ve come to a couple of options for you that we can discuss later. but since we’ve waited so long for this opportunity, we can’t be picky as to where we go.” “i don’t have to go?” she questioned her mother’s comment. ellie shook her head and sutton continued. “i can’t imagine leaving here. not right now, not after i’ve gotten so settled and accustomed to school and friends and everything here, not now. you guys can’t make me leave right now,” sutton stumbled. “we know, honey. that’s one of the main things your father and i were thinking about when we made this decision. we are willing to let you make the decision on your own as to whether or not you will accompany us to italy for the next year.” “if i don’t where would i go, where would i stay?” “diana has made us a very generous offer to allow you to stay with her and the rest of the hanson family. you know that isaac, taylor and zachary have been touring and promoting their cd’s like crazy, and they’re all about to start the tour. diana said that it would be wonderful for you to stay with them, and it would be a wonderful opportunity if you wanted to travel along with them. you know how much they adores you, sutton.” “they would let me stay with them for a year, travel with them?” sutton’s father nodded. “it seems really simple, but yes. her and walker offered, in fact. they love kids and have loved getting to know you. in the end its your decision. however, we would have to pull you out of school if you decided to stay with them since they will be starting up the tour within the next month.” “they would teach me along with everyone else?” “yes, along with the other older kids,” her mother answered “it doesn’t seem like i have seen them in so long,” sutton muttered, not concerned with the school issue. “that’s one of the concerns walker and diana had when they offered and we talked to them about this, but they assured me that once you arrived you would feel at home just as you had before. i’m disappointed that we haven’t been able to keep in contact with them the last couple months with vacations and such,” her father said. “you think it would be okay?” sutton asked. “i think you would enjoy staying with them, and know you’re not incredibly interested in our dreams,” ellie answered. “no, mom. i find it incredibly humbling that you and dad want to do this, i --” ellie interrupted. “i know hon, we know. that’s why we’ve made arrangements with the hanson’s.” “okay,” sutton agreed, and smiled weakly at her parents. |