Caitlin McCusker

February 22, 2010

Speech Writing

Tribute Speech—My Grandmother

Grandparents too many people are just distant relatives that you see a few times a year, mostly on just the occasional Christmas or Thanksgiving holiday. My grandmother is much more than just a face I say hello to twice a year, but rather a face I couldn’t imagine living without. I would like to make a toast to the women who we are all here tonight celebrating my grandmother Blanche Ksiazek. Having been in the world for 80 years now, my grandmother has experienced so many changes in society that I could not even begin to fathom. She has brought 7 children into this world and has seen the birth of 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She has seen us all at our deepest stoops and all at our highest highs. Throughout everything my grandmother has always been there for every member of our family whether good or bad. Many times I find her worrying more about her family’s well-being than her own. This shows how much of a selfless heart my grandmother has. She has an abundant amount of love to give, wisdom to share and stories to tell.

My grandmother and I formed a special bond from the day I was brought home from the hospital. Having two full-time working parents when I was growing up, it was my grandmother who steeped in and took care of my brother and I from 9-5 each and every day. She wouldn’t have thought twice about sending us to daycare or letting a stranger take care of us, but rather she sacrificed her personal time to help her daughter and her family. She raised us during the day and during the evening up until she was 70 years old worked the nighttime shift at our local college doing housekeeping work. My grandmother is not one to sit around and be lazy, she loved working and if she still had the chance I think she would still be doing it today. She worked so long so she could help her family in as many ways as she possibly could. She wanted us all to have whatever we needed in life and never feel financially strapped if times were tough. My grandmother is always willing to lend a helping hand for me and my family during struggling times. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been out with my grandmother and she just sneaks a $20 bill in my purse even when I try and refuse it.

Having a close knit family is something my grandmother holds very dear to her heart. Each and every summer my grandmother rents a beach house for all her children and grandchildren to come stay in for the week. Though many of us work and have busy lives we all make it an effort to come down at some point and stay a few nights. Having the beach house allows my extended family to bond together which I know makes my grandmother very happy. If problems in our family arise my grandmother is the first to say “stop arguing and holding grudges, your family.” It is my grandmother who has shaped our family into one and taught us all to love one another unconditionally.

My grandmother and I have always been close. I can remember the days back when I was young and went to the park with her, watched her bake cookies or even when we would just sit on the couch and watch a lifetime movie. Having 9 other grandkids never made me doubt how much my grandmother loved me. As I got older, she and I would always have lunch and dinner dates. I remember once 7 or 8 years ago we were out at Kentucky Fried Chicken, one of my grandmother’s favorite fast food places. She randomly started eating some of my biscuit, I sat there wondering to myself what is she doing, she then started taking large sips from her soda, a minute later was when I realized my grandmother was chocking. I didn’t know what to do and was immediately hysterical, which didn’t help the situation any. I thought at that moment I was going to lose my grandmother forever right in front of my eyes. All the years that I spent with her, all the countless memories I had and those I couldn’t even quite recall were flashing before before me. I thought to myself please God do not take my grandmother away from me right now, not like this. Luckily a man behind the counter knew CPR, and saved my grandmothers life. This particular moment that I shared with my grandmother was truly an eye-opener. I was forever grateful to that man who rose to the occasion and because of him, my grandmother is still with us tonight.

When I decided to go to college out-of-state more than 8 hours away from the place I have always called “home” it was extremely difficult. Not only was I leaving behind childhood friends, I was more importantly leaving behind my family and precious grandmother. Going from seeing my grandmother multiple times a week for 17 years to seeing her only a few times a year since being away at school has been a challenge. Though over 500 miles apart we still do our best to stay in touch, we talk almost every night and even when we don’t I know that she is always thinking about me and I in-turn am thinking of her.

My grandmother has not only inspired me to become a better person, but has inspired me to make the most out of every opportunity that life brings you. She has helped mold me into a strong, confident, driven women and for that I am forever grateful. As the years go on, I look forward to having my grandmother there by my side supporting me in every major decision I will make as the future arises. I know that without my grandmother I would not be the person I am today. I hope to one day be as generous, loving and inspirational as my grandmother is. Cheers to the women who has brought laughter into our lives, motivated us to be our very best and who has loved us unconditionally throughout many years. Here’s to 80 years of touching the lives of family and friends and too many more to come!