Grandma Emmy Cont...

Worth the Wait

Everywhere in nature we are taught the lessons of patience and waiting. We want things a long time before we get them, and the fact that we wanted them a long time makes them all the more precious when they come.

President Joseph F. Smith

Grandma Emmy met Grandpa Sollie when she was just 15 years old. She was at a basketball game and he was a referee. She saw him, she liked him, and then she tripped him to get his attention. It worked and they began courting. Grandpa was 7 years older than Grandma so they had a bit of a wait until she was old enough to marry. They were married about 6 years later by President Harold B. Lee in her parents’ home. Grandma and Grandpa were not of the same faith but Grandma hoped her Sollie would one day become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and that they could be sealed together for eternity in the Temple. Grandpa did eventually join the church. Grandma waited 16 years for Grandpa to take her to the Temple. They were sealed as a family in the Salt Lake Temple with their 4 sons and 2 daughters. Just a few years later Grandpa passed away. She was so grateful that her marriage was not just for this life, but forever. Grandma then had the longest wait of her life ahead of her. A widow at just 39 years old, she was left to raise 6 children on her own—although she knew she was never alone. Her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ were there to help her. Grandma never dated or even looked at another man. She told me several times she couldn’t imagine ever being with anyone but Grandpa. On February 21, 2005 at 86 years old Grandma was reunited with her Sollie. I’m sure it was a wonderful reunion and completely worth the wait.