My Daughter Emily
From the start Emily was special. How many people can say they had a baby while on a mission? Born in Sweden during a unique time in our lives she was a joy from the beginning. Even as a baby she was patient, calm, happy, and resilient. When one of her sisters accidentally turned over the baby carriage she was sleeping in, dumping her onto the street where she cried until someone noticed and rescued her, I decided that angels were watching over her. I think they still are.
As a young child Emily was quiet, sweet, and happy to part of a large group of siblings. We called her “lillemor” or “little mother” because she always watched out for her two younger siblings. She was the quiet leader of the “younger kids” and made sure they were kept in line. She was never the one who had to be the center of attention but we knew not to mistake that for a lack of initiative or strength. In fact, if I had to chose one attribute which characterizes Emily it would be her tremendous strength. She has strength of character, determination, commitment, and integrity. She decides what she wants and then goes after it without a lot of fanfare or complaint. We stood in awe as she finished college a semester early, moved to Annapolis, Maryland to be close to her fiancé, living with two (kind of strange) strangers and a ferret, finding a job, and making it all work without a car of her own, as she prepared to get married to her sweetheart midshipman. We kept asking ourselves, “Where does that strength come from?”
As a little girl she had big blue eyes, very long thick blonde hair and a small frame. To look at her you would think she was shy and dainty…until you saw her eat. On one occasion the family went to a restaurant for breakfast and we were going around the table placing our orders. Sweet little petite Emily laid her menu on the table and in a very feminine voice announced, “I’ll have the lumberjack, please.” Another time she challenged an unsuspecting 300 pound Tongan elder to a cinnamon roll eating contest and ate him under the table. I think she may have weighed all of 90 pounds at the time. Emily is not one to be underestimated in anything!
Emily’s organizational skills are legendary. At some point in her growing up I realized that Emily loved to be organized and had a talent for it. I have turned my pantry over to her several times in my life in order to get it whipped into shape. She can attack a closet full of clutter and leave it straightened, clean, organized, and completely labeled! She is the perfect Navy wife. Through the many moves required by Clark’s job, she has within days turned each apartment or house into a beautiful, comfortable, stylish, and organized home. She always leaves a place better and more beautiful than she found it. Martha Stewart eat your heart out. I want to be like Emily when I grow up!
The thing about Emily that is closest to my heart is the kind of mother she is to her four beautiful girls. I have never seen a more dedicated, loving, committed mother. She is consistent in her discipline and yet patient and loving. I have seen her as a mother in the best of times and the worst and she always has her girls’ best interests at heart. Even when she was suffering the effects of morning sickness she would manage to give her girls the attention and care they needed. She puts her role as mother at the top of her list and it shows in all that she does. Her daughters are so lucky to have a mother who dresses them with care, provides fun and exciting activities and games, encourages their talents and minds, and teaches them the gospel. My favorite scene when they were living with us last winter was to see them at night before bed sitting on their beds reading the scriptures together. I have watched her give birth to two of those girls and stood in awe of the concentration and courage as she worked so hard to bring them into this world. Her girls are her world and I know she will do all in her power to teach them and guide them back to their Heavenly Father.
Emily is a woman of faith. She is faithful in whatever Church calling she is asked to do even when it is hard or challenging. When she was called to be the choir pianist she was overwhelmed and felt inadequate for the job but she faithfully accepted it and gave it her all even when she fell short at times. When she and Clark were asked to serve in the Inwood Ward, it was a very hard assignment and I knew she would much rather have been in her home ward with friends her own age, but she rose to the occasion and both she and Clark made a huge difference in so many lives. Her life reflects a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and she is an inspiration to me and those around her.
Finally, I have to say that I just love being around Emily. In all of the seven months she lived with us this past year, I always just loved having Emily around to be my buddy and friend during those months. I never felt annoyed with her or got tired of her company. She is funny, gets excited about the things I care about and knows how to have a good time. I loved popping popcorn in the evenings and sitting down to watch a marathon of “Heroes” episodes late into the night with her. She introduced me to “Lost,” helped me throw things away, and was my confidante and friend for seven precious months. Thanks Emily for all the joy you have given me in the past thirty years. You are an inspiration and example to me and I am so lucky to be your mom. Let’s pop some corn and watch a movie together soon! I love you.
