Emily Alice Hamill Sanderson

So, I've definitely been avoiding this post. . . mostly because every time I would try to sit down and write it, I would get a huge lump in my throat and have to suppress the big ol' alligator tears trying to escape. I thought after my grandma's funeral yesterday I would have an easier time writing, but I was wrong... the lump is still in my throat, and the alligator tears have found themselves all the way down to my neck. I've been sitting here for almost 2 hours now writing, then deleting, paragraph after paragraph because they just aren't good enough. There's so much to say about my grandma Sanderson! So many memories to share! So many things I would love to tell blog world about my grandma, but I've decided blog world doesn't need to know every little detail, every single reason I love my grandma, and every little thought I've had over the past week. Not today, at least.

However, I will say that her funeral service yesterday was perfect. The people there, the speakers, her green casket, the confetti, the wind chimes, and everyone wearing green to honor her Irish heritage--she would have loved it all! And despite it being an emotionally exhausting day, I loved it all, too.

My most favorite thing from the service was my dad's life sketch he wrote for my grandma, which is why I thought I would at least share that with blog world. My dad won't admit it, but he definitely inherited my grandma Sanderson's talent for writing poetry. So here it is. Enjoy learning a little more about my grandma from my dad. 

Mom's Life Sketch

by: Kelly Sanderson

Anyone who knew my mom 

For any length of time

Should understand that her life sketch 

Just has to be in rhyme 

It starts with a disclaimer though

I feel I really should

My poetry skills are lacking much 

While hers were very good

Em’ was born in Payson there, 

In Nineteen Twenty-Eight

Marie and Frank’s first child to them

January 9th, the date.  

Her family lived in Marysvale

The clan remained the same

A little brother soon followed her 

Edward was his name

It was here she made a lifelong friend

We thank you, Nan, for that.

The two remained so very close 

And loved to talk and chat

Em’ and Ed seemed very close  

Siblings at their best

A decade of togetherness  

Was about to get a test.  

Her mother died when she was twelve, 

Her dad within the year 

Orphaned, split, then fostered out,

Not much to really cheer 

Mom was lucky, Ed was not

While he often ran away

The Hansen home eventually 

Made Mother’s life okay

School years in Provo found 

A grad of BY High 

Followed by some college time

She studied at the ‘Y’

She met a handsome sailor man

Blind date initially

They were wed and from then on known

As Jiggs and M.L.E

Pleasant Grove would be their home

For most of seventy years

Ned and Melva and countless more 

Would count among their peers

While in PG the message came 

About her only other

Killed in battle, the Korean War

Had claimed her only brother. 

So now alone, her family gone

Lucky she found dad 

The two of them began their own

Too busy to stay sad

Raising Tom, Ed, Mark, and Steve

An easy task (I’m lying!)

The rest of us that followed them 

Are thankful they kept trying!

Carol was born……Robynn next

Her tragic death a shame

New Year’s Day from that day forth

Was never quite the same 

Sharlene and Kelly wrapped it up

Numbers seven and eight

Kelly will humbly tell you all

Eight tries to make it great.  

Designing floats and posters many 

Her writings such a hit

Countless toasts for weddings, plus

It showcased her great wit

She’d hold us down and tickle us

Even if tears were near

The torture only ceased when said  

“I love you, Mother Dear!”

Outside the kitchen window screen  

One could almost bet

That unsuspecting passers by 

Most likely would get wet

You’d wheel around in time to see 

Mom quietly doing the dishes 

And then proclaim her innocence 

Her halo set…….(She wishes!)

Our parents really supported us 

In everything we tried

Wrestling, dance, and football games

Her children were her pride

She loved to go to Ladies Camp

The best of friends met there

A week of crafts and discussing things

Secrets they would share

Too many friends to mention though 

They loved to just be silly

I’ll mention one, her name was Jo, 

We knew her as “Mitt Millie”

Some quirky traits she also had

She’d drag us through D.I.

Each item looked at… very close

And then would never buy

The kicker though, as we look back

Pleading wouldn’t thwart her

If we were good we’d get a gift… (sigh)

A grab bag for a quarter!

And every grandchild can attest

When she sent regards

Confetti fell all over them 

While opening up their cards

Later on, with kids all gone

There came a mission call

They returned, with two great friends

By the name of Mendenhall.  

When Mark and Erin arranged a trip

Way across the sea

To Ireland with dad and mom

They found her family!

The orphan without anyone

So early on just found

Her Irish side so proudly now

Had relatives abound!

She really developed who we are

And might we add for laughs

We thank you now, we’re grateful for

No waist … and great big calves!

A character now our mother was 

She always made life fun

She lived her life as He would want

To Emily now, “well done!”

This toast is meant for tribute, Mom

We want to make it clear

We really desire for you to know

“We love you, Mother Dear”