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”
