MEMORIES OF EMMA

 

When we moved from San Jose to Fair Oaks in 1972, we bought a house in the Allebes neighborhood off Lakeside Way.  Our large lot was over grown and needed clearing.  Thus we first met Ted and Emma when they took a squatty palm tree we didn’t want.  Both our husbands enjoyed gardening and had that in common. I also got to know Judy, Ted’s mother, who lived in a small house at the back of their property. Our children knew each other, and over the years we admired them as a wonderful family, but Emma and I were so busy with our growing families and different church affiliations that we had little chance for much visiting (that came later).

                                                                                                           

However, I certainly admired Emma’s talents.  I was especially impressed by Shenna’s wedding dress, which Emma designed and Shenna made with a skirt like the petals of an inverted tulip. (This dress was designed at Shenna’s request to resemble a dress Emma made for her as a little girl) That was probably the same wedding with a garden reception at their home, except heaven forbid—it rained in California in May!  Emma, always gracious and unflappable, simply moved everyone—with all of us grabbing something--into their fairly small house.  It was very crowded with all those people, but, at least, shoulder-to-shoulder, we certainly got to know each other.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of her quilting classes which I attended (she taught in San Juan Adult Ed ages ago).  She made her classes so much fun, because she was down-to-earth, and an enthusiastic and motivating teacher.  (Unfortunately, I’ve never followed through with quilting.)  I remember a funny story she told the class, about a woman who wanted to pay Emma to make a quilt (I believe as a gift for the woman’s daughter).  It was near Christmas. Emma had her hands full and no time to make a quilt, so she quoted a ridiculous price. The lady took her up on it!  Many a night she burned the midnight oil to finish that one. That was only one example of her kind-heartedness and integrity.

 

Another Emma talent, from which I should have taken lessons, was her organization (and probably, also discipline).  I remember her impressively organized sewing room—in both their homes—where everything was meticulously shelved, in order, labeled, and catalogued. Little wonder she could accomplish so much. 

 

 

After we moved away fourteen years ago and my husband died, I gradually lost touch with many of my old neighbors.  I have been a long-time member of the Sacramento branch of Pen Women, and happily, I got to know Emma even better when she joined several years ago.  We sometimes shared rides to the meetings and visited on the way.  There is an obsolete, feminine equivalent of the term gentleman: gentlewoman, and that perfectly describes Emma, always kind, considerate, and thoughtful.  Also, I cannot believe how she found the time to belong to so many different organizations, and not only belong, but take an active part.  She was our Pen Women president for at least two years.  One of those times she reluctantly agreed to another term, but immediately cautioned us, “Don’t tell Ted!”

 

She was such a gracious and hospitable hostess.  My fondest memories are of our delightful PenWomen Christmas potlucks at the Barrister Lane home.  Emma and Ted had decorated it with so many artistic touches, and at Christmastime we were enchanted by all those unique holiday decorations.  Those were wonderfully warm, and very special gatherings.

 

Emma, thank you for enriching my life with your friendship, and God bless you abundantly for all you gave us.

 

From Pat Biasotti.