G R A M M I E

If someone were to come up to me and ask me the simple question of who is the person I am most fond of that has made a big impact on my life I would explain to them without hesitation and much pride that it would be my beautiful, one of a kind Grandmother who I call Grammie.

There are so many good memories I have of such a wonderful strong lady.  She is the straw to my berry.  She is the sun when it shines in the morning.  She is the apple to my pie.  Words cannot describe to you how much I love my hero that I will miss more than anything in the world.  I have always dreaded the thought of her not being with my family and I.

She was my number one supporter in all that I ever did.  She was at every little league baseball, basketball, and soccer game.  She supported me to complete the scouting program.  She attended every school musical, or any other performance I was a part of.  She helped me go on my mission.  She encouraged me to get good grades.  She made my favorite honey wheat bread just for me.  She would write me notes and call me on the phone.  She would come pick me up from school.  She would eat popcorn with me.  She would let me sleepover.  She would watch cartoons with me.  She would clean up my throw up.  She was the nurse to my bee stings.  She would make sure I stayed hydrated when I would mow her lawn.  She would give me captain crunch and money every birthday.  She would fix the rips in my jeans.  She put a hole through her finger sewing an embroidered towel with my name on it.  She would let me walk her out to her car.  She taught me to love to sing.  She would give me specific songs to sing in church or in the community.  She had the most unique singing voice and the most wonderful vibrato.  She is and will always be my everything. 

Her chair will be missed at Sunday dinner.  Her laugh will be missed in conversation.  Her little squeezes when she would hold you hand will be missed representing how much she loved you.  Her soft loving face with that warm smile will be missed when she would raise her eyebrows and say, “that’s nice.”

  Grammie taught me to do things by her goodness and example.  She would simply give me a smile and small pieces of advice.  Just looking at her and seeing the sparkle in her eyes made my world keep spinning.  I love you so much Grammie and I will always think of you before I do anything or make any important decisions and remember to ask myself – “what would Grammie do?”  I wish I could just call you on the phone and hear your voice.  I know we will meet again soon.  Families are Forever and I will do my best to make you proud.  I will “do all the good things.”

Thank you for the gift of love,

now you're sharing it up above.

You had many things to say.

All in a caring way.

You always saw good in everyone,

No matter what they've done.

You were always the one we could all lean on.

Even though it must have felt like a ton.

You were always the strength of the family.

Now we must let you rest calmly.

As we say goodbye,

as tears roll down our eyes.

I know your place in heaven has a good view.

Because you're telling God,

I need to keep an eye on a few.

I know you will always be in our hearts and mind.

So Grammie,

I must go, but I'll never forget you're one of a kind.

The journey of one.

  What brings a smile to your face?  Is it getting accepted to a pristine college, a cheap road trip with friends, enjoying the company of an old friend, or having a complete stranger give you money to buy ice cream?  There is only one person that can create and make bliss.  That person is you.  Yes human, YOU! You are the one breathing and staring at this very monitor right? Have you asked yourself lately if you are truly enjoying your time here on this precious vast piece of matter we call earth?  I am sure the thought might have sailed across your mind as you skimmed over my post title and decided to click on the link to get to this very location on the World Wide Web... Or maybe you were just wondering why in the atmosphere around earth does Sawyer Hemsley have a blog?  

  Well obviously you can see YES; I Sawyer Hemsley indeed have a small space on the internet where I will attempt to make sense of the words I finds creeping into my daily activities of life.  My opinion of happiness is doing what I want and what I feel.  It is being the person I want to be, and expressing myself how I would like.  I do not live to act like someone else.  I do not live to talk like someone else.  I do not live to look like someone else.  I live to create and make my own person who is filled with happiness and personality.  I am a boy who grew up in a small town on the border of Idaho.  I enjoy eating anything that has potatoes in the recipe, and I would jump in front of a moving bus for a grilled bean burrito.  I am personally here to tell you that there is no one else just like me.  Amen to that Brothers and Sisters!  

  I can admit at times I find myself hiding behind a shadow of another, or becoming the background of a scene in a popular movie.  I can also admit that I am imperfect and mess up often making big and small mistakes hourly.  Though I have failed time and time again I have always managed to change, learn and grow from each situation I find myself in.  It is like eating a hot mexican habanero pepper for the second time and telling yourself that it won't burn the crap out of your tongue and throat this time around; resulting in sending your intestines into a painful state of watching a cheap circus full of wild monkeys.

  This small journey that I have been on for the past 22 years has been a challenging climb full of a whirlwind of different emotions.  I have ran out of water and food at times, (most of the time wishing I would have listened to my parents and had packed that extra Harvest Valley granola bar in my sock...) Sometimes I just can't seem to find a clean toilet to use along side the road or an extra roll of paper to wipe with, which always leads to a small rash and the need for a tube of Desitin (baby rash cream) from Mom.  

  Do you think those small speed bumps have stopped or slowed me from moving forward trying to make the best of what lies ahead?  You can bet the small hair on the back of your neck NO!  I have passed many people along my path and many people have passed me... It's just how it goes.  Part of life is failing over and over until we become stronger and better individuals.  Forcing ourselves to figure out what we must do to make any given situation work out.  Just like big Michael J put it "I've failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed."  Good for you Jordan!  

  Happiness can be found anywhere.  Be yourself.  Give yourself credit.  Work hard.  The excursion might not always be easy but it will sure be worth it in the end.  There is so much good and beauty about everything!  It might be certain people that come into your life, the places we visit or live, your next door neighbor with the unibrow and weird dog, or the taste of your Grammies homemade honey wheat bread.  ANYTHING/ANYWHERE can be the reason for your smile.  Step back and take a look to see if you truly are happy with yourself and life.  Go explore and find new ideas, options and friends.  You can do it, all you have to do is TRY!  Anything is possible if you want or care enough for it.  Create and shape the person you want to become.  Happiness is joy.  Happiness is family. Happiness is the wrinkles around your eyes.  Happiness is...   YOU CHOOSE!