Celebrating the life of my father – Jon Sanderson.
We are surrounded by beautiful trees today of all shapes and sizes. Notice their stature. Their trunk is strong and their roots run deep with age. Their branches spread wide which create shelter when their leaves are full. They feed the earth with their fruit, and create beauty for all to enjoy.
My father, himself, was like a tree in many ways. For me he was a large oak tree providing a strong trunk for stability, deep roots of wisdom, and far-reaching branches that gave comfort and shelter. Dad’s gifts were like the many beautiful leaves and acorns this tree produced for his family and the many others he loved. As this beautiful tree matured, Dad showed us the man he was – full of love, compassion, honesty, wisdom, confidence, honor, respect, generosity, bravery, and patience. I have grown up under the branches of the tree that was my father’s life; I will be forever grateful for his guidance, his care, and all he taught me.
My father provided much stability in our lives with sheer love. He never allowed negativity but instead, looked at life with optimism.
Dad and I spent a lot of time together throughout the years – talking, sharing, learning from each other, and understanding each other. I discovered he was proud of me, what I was doing, and how I was living my life. His greatest wish for me was that I would be happy.
Even though Dad led a quiet, private life, people were his passion. Some say it would be Real Estate – I say it was the people. If he saw someone he knew, he smiled and stopped to say hello. He didn’t care what kind of car one drove, if one wore designer clothes, where one lived, what kind of house one lived in, or how much money one had in the bank. He never met a stranger. It didn’t matter where he went during the day, what kind of day he was having, he always took the time to smile and say hello.
He loved his work because he loved helping people. I wasn’t born yet when Dad had the farm supply business, but during the last weeks of my father’s life he told me a lot about it. He was so proud to have helped his clients, the local farmers he knew, grow their crops. He always put the interests of others before his own. Many nights during the winter months a snowstorm would blow in, he would move tons of fertilizer chemicals from a railroad car into the warehouse by himself, bag by bag, because he would send his workers home so they could be with their families. When Dad sold real estate here in South Carolina and in Illinois, he put his clients’ interest first. How could he make their life easier? How could he better serve them? He was always proud when he found that perfect lot which I quote, “made dreams come true.” It was never about the money; it was always about the satisfaction he got from making someone else happy. Work was easy for Dad because he loved Oconee County and he loved Lake Keowee. He always told me that if you loved your work it wasn’t like going to work because you were having fun. That is exactly what Dad had – Lots of fun. I remember him telling me on several occasions when we would be out on the boat. “Dewy, can you believe this? This is my office.” As looked out across the lake. Then he would say, “It doesn’t get any better than this, does it?” And he would grin from ear to ear.
My father’s number one passion was Mom and I. He worked hard so we didn’t have to worry about shelter, food, clothing, or transportation, but, best of all, he loved us. Daddy was the best father I could have ever asked for because he always had time for me; he was always there to guide me and help me become the woman I’m proud to be today.
My father was an intelligent and wise man. Until the last day of his life, he counseled me on how to live a good life. He explained his thoughts and let me make my own decisions. Sometimes I was hard-headed and went and did things my way. Other times, I came back and said, “Yes, Daddy, you were right.” Dad was always there to help me pick up the pieces, talk to me in his sweet caring voice, and hold me when my heart was broken. He was my rock.
I began by comparing my father to an oak tree. There is one more reason the oak is a good symbol for my father’s life. Acorns. My yard now is full of acorns. I can't take a step without feeling like I’m on roller skates. These acorns remind me of the many blessings I received as my father’s daughter, thousands of them, too many to list here today. These blessings of his are seeds that will continue to grow in my life and in the lives of everyone who knew my father. When I see an acorn now I'll think of my father, remember him, and promise to pass on the seed to others.
In my father’s memory, Isaac and I have planted an oak tree by the water as a symbol of my Dad over looking Lake Keowee. Standing strong, with deep roots, and branches spread wide for years to come.
I would like each of you to do something in my father’s name. Tell someone you love him or her; take the time to stop and say hello to someone; smile at someone and enjoy how that person smiles back at you; do something nice for someone and expect nothing in return.
Again, I thank you for all the love and support you have given my mother and me. Your prayers have meant more to us than I can say.
|
