March 10, 2010
Books tell the story of one couple’s enduring marriage.
LEFT: The photograph of this special day was the first step in the right direction for Grant and Sharol Joy Wilson, grandparents to 48 and great-grandparents to 35. PHOTO COURTESY GRANT AND SHAROL JOY WILSONIt has been said that you can learn more about a person by seeing the books that they read than by having lunch with them. Come with me and let us peruse the library of Grant and Sharol Joy Wilson. They are all organized as though by Dewey Decimal himself (Sharol has a minor in Library Science).
History
The history books command a generous amount of shelf space -- history of this great country, the valley and history of family all weaving together to tell a story.
Grant’s roots run deep in Teton Valley soil as his grandfather, Thomas Ross Wilson was among the first settlers. The land that was homesteaded in 1888 is still being farmed by fifth and sixth generation Wilsons. Deep roots growing deeper.
Grant’s love for his country was proved as he served in World War II along with three of his brothers; Ralf, Wayne and Mark and two step brothers Charlie and Price Rigby. It is hard to imagine the tender feelings that a parent would struggle with as they sent yet another son to serve when their older son Ralf had been missing for over two years. The example of love of country was embedded in the minds of those sons. All sons returned including Ralf after being held for 3 ½ years as a prisoner of war in the Philippines and Japan.
Education
With a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, and later a Master and Doctorate degree in Education, Grant spent years sharing this love with students as his chosen profession was teaching. With her Master’s degree in Special Education, Sharol likewise contributed to the school system teaching both special needs and the gifted and talented. It was close to her heart as their youngest son Kevin was born with Downs Syndrome. She nurtured in her students that same love of reading that she took such pleasure in (she usually is reading several books at a time).
“By the show of hands could we see how many here have had Mr. or Mrs. Wilson as their teacher?”
Busy as he was with his teaching, Grant also wore the hats of a farmer, bishop, counselor in the Stake Presidency and active scouter, being awarded the Silver Beaver.
Poetry and Quotes
The poetry and quote books are well worn. Grant is renowned for his memory and ability to recite entire poems and passages without prior notice, even poems that he memorized years ago slip off his tongue as if reviewed yesterday. He is always ready with some sage wisdom like “What you were searching for was probably in the last place you looked.” If you have an appointment at 2:30 he says, “Oh, dentist’s time.” His list of cuss words starts and ends with “Jupiter Harry Ned!”
Think of me as a friend, I pray, Or else my life is of little worth. So will your memory light my way, Although we meet no more on earth. For though I know your faith secure, I ask no happier fate to see. Thus to be loved by those so pure, Is honor rich enough for me.
-Author Unknown
Lands and Languages
Vying for room among the Foreign Lands books are the mementos and collectable lapel pins brought back from their numerous travels. For the better part of eight years they served missions for the LDS church in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Germany and Switzerland. At the end of each mission they took the opportunity to tour the surrounding lands and acquaint themselves with the people and their language. If you meet Grant on the street he likely will greet you in one or more of any seven different languages and introduce himself as Pete Shinglehauser or Kuphenheimer Smitaviten Itskavitksy with a twinkle in his eye.
Some trying to catch him turn to Sharol and ask her name, not skipping a beat she replies, “Mrs. Kuphenheimer Smitaviten Itskavitsky.
Much as they love to educate themselves by travel, their hearts remain grounded in Teton Valley. Grant’s quip to that would be, “If you never left, you would never get to come home.”
Book of Love
The most treasured book on the shelf is the one written by the lives of Grant and Sharol themselves, The Book of Love. They met on their first mission to the Northern States in 1948. Sharol at the time was promised to another, but the tall redhead from Teton Valley stood head and shoulders above the crowd. He turned her
head and she captured his heart. On March 17, 1950, they began the first chapter “Life in Teton Valley for the Salt Lake City Girl” and in the ensuing years added the chapters of “Building Our Home, One Room A Year”, “Ten Kids….So Far”, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” and the continuing “Grandchildren- 48, Great-grandchildren- 35 and Counting.”
March 17 marks their 60th Anniversary. Sharol says Grant is always cheerful and Grant is often heard saying, “Man is that he might have joy and I have mine in my Sharol Joy.”
Happy Anniversary Grant and Sharol!!!
Footnote: That’s the story and I’m sticking to it. You see I have seen this story from the inside out. I have lived within a mile from them for 35 years and called them “Mom and Dad” for longer than I had that privilege with my own parents. I look to their great example as I write my own story and strive to continue the legacy they bequeathed in the Wilson name.
