Under one roof

Six years ago, George Straley found himself unexpectedly single with two young sons and just a high school diploma. He felt like his small family was dropping off a metaphorical cliff. Fortunately, they found a soft landing, courtesy of his parents — Joe and Sandy Straley — who made room in their Salt Lake City rambler. 

Before the pandemic, the family of five spent more time outdoors. They hiked together, and the boys happily cheered on their grandmother as she ran marathons and half-marathons in St. George and Moab. At home, they would gather around the table every night to eat and talk about their day. Sharing a roof with three generations has been challenging, because Sandy says she and Joe, both 65, had started slowing down a bit, their own family raised. “I don’t have as much patience or ambition as I did. But it’s been fun to have them here and watch the boys grow and see what they can accomplish.”

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