Five years ago I had the privilege of flying to CA to celebrate her 100th birthday party with all of her extended family and many friends. My aunt asked me to wear Grandma’s wedding dress and share some memories of Grandma at this special gathering. Oh, I was so nervous, but yet thankful for the opportunity to stand up and bear witness to the many influences she had on my life.
I love you and miss you, Grandma!
Memories of Grandma
(Speech given in honor of Grandma’s 100th birthday)
The year I was born was the year that Grandpa and Grandma retired in Santa Cruz. Their house on Pacheco Avenue is where my memories center. I was not privileged to live near Grandpa and Grandma growing up, so I often remember pulling in late at night after a long road trip, to the porch light on and Grandma having the guest rooms ready and waiting for us. She always had wonderful meals prepared, and I always looked for her delicious pear preserves on the table or her persimmon cookies in the cookie jar. It was great fun to admire her large dinner bell collection and choose which one to ring for each meal. Grandma never seemed to mind the sand we tracked in from the beach, or the beautiful roses that we “accidentally” picked from her bushes. She generously supplied us with empty egg cartons to collect snails in from her back yard. And I never heard her comment on what must have been quite a difference in noise level around the house than what she was used to. Although good-byes are never fun, I have vivid pictures in my mind of Grandpa and Grandma waving to us as we backed out of the driveway in our packed station wagon. We would wave and smile for as long as we could see each other. Grandma, you have always been a wonderful hostess and I want to be like you when I grow up.
More special memories are of how Grandma interacted with me as a child. I now teach my own children hand games that she taught me. I remember giggling with delight as she taught me “Tom Tinker, Eye Winker” and “Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, whoops..”. And there is the all important, “Here is the church….”. Whether it was receiving handmade doll clothes or snuggling up to have a book read to me, I always felt very loved and welcomed as a child. Grandma, you love children as Jesus did and I want to be like you when I grow up.
A little known fact is that after 70 years of her own driving experience, Grandma taught me how to drive! Having lived my teenage years in Japan, I didn’t have the chance to get a driver's license there. It wasn’t until I was 19 that I finally received my learner’s permit. I spent a week with Grandma after my sophomore year in college and that was my big chance. She graciously allowed me to drive to the nursing home on our daily visits to see Grandpa, and also to Safeway, but that was about it. In retrospect, this was probably very wise! At the end of the week I took the driver’s test and passed by one point. Phew! In the years since I think I’ve only received 3 tickets! Grandma, thank you for the driving lessons and more importantly for your amazing patience. I hope that I don’t have to teach my own grandchildren to drive, but I do want to have your wonderful patience and be like you when I grow up.
My most tender memories of Grandma are of watching her utter devotion to Grandpa. Her selfless commitment to their marriage in sickness and in health has been such an important example to me. Grandma, I’ve watched you lovingly shave Grandpa’s face and feed him his meals when he couldn’t care for himself. Your commitment to Grandpa for a lifetime of marriage is to be most highly commended. I want to be like you when I grow up.
Many memories come to mind when I think of all Grandma’s travels. I’ve loved reading her letters and journals about her adventures all over the world. And I’ve loved bragging about my globe-hopping grandmother to my friends. Grandma, I love your sense of adventure. In fact, in my college days I made a pact with a dear friend that when we were old and widowed we would travel the world together as you did. Grandma, when I grow up I want to be like you.
I’ve saved my most important memory of Grandma for last. Not a single individual could know Effie Rickard without seeing her strong faith and love for God. I cannot think of Grandma without thinking of her busy involvement in church activities, her involvement in mission work, or her faithful prayers. I remember several years ago when she told me that every night she prayed for each one of her family members. I was surprised because I knew this was no small task with all of her descendants. But, in retrospect I should not have been surprised at all. This wonderful lady of such strong commitment to God lives out her faith on a daily basis. Grandma, you are a Proverbs 31 woman and I am so thankful for the Christian heritage that you and Grandpa have passed down to me and all of our family. I want to be like you when I grow up.
Whether it’s Grandma’s hospitality, kindness, patience, commitment to marriage, or strong faith my memories are so very rich. Grandma, thank you for the influence you’ve had in my life. I love you very much and wish you a very happy 100th birthday!
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