put a smile on your face (proud child moment)

[lilyvonschtupp26]

my daughter gave this speech yesterday in a public speaking class. I told you this story b/4, but this is Lisa's take on it.
background: The students were charged with a short monologue about love, in all its forms. several students b/4 her had been really negative about love & bad breakups. nothing positive. This is what she said:

I thought it was interesting that only 6 of our classmates believe in true love or at least enough to write it down. I couldn’t tell you as to whether or not I was one of them, but I can tell you for sure that I do believe in true love. I’m not here to tell you some gushy love story of mine, but rather of one that holds special significance to me.

This is a story about my grandmother. She met her true love when she was 16, attending Schurz High School in Chicago. They dated from the moment they met. Unfortunately, it was during the time of WWII and when they graduated, Joe went to join the Navy. They wrote to each other every day. Eventually, as time went on, they wrote to each other less frequently and soon enough, not at all. They may have lost track of each other, but they never forgot about the other. I know that Joe kept my grandmother’s high school picture in his wallet the entire time he was in war and still keeps it there to this day.

They went their separate ways and each had families of their own. His wife had passed and my grandmother’s final marriage resulted with his death as well. But they each had their kids and grandkids to dote on.

Then came that fateful day of Schurz’s 50 year high school reunion for the two of them. My family couldn’t figure out why my grandmother was making such a fuss over it; it was completely out of character. Then we found out that she knew he was going to be there and vice versa. From that point onward, they were inseparable. He became my Mr. Joe and became one of the only grandfathers I’ve ever known. Sports events and choir performances, you could bet that they’d be there to cheer us on. Things went on like this for more than ten years.

The summer between my senior and junior year of high school, my grandmother became very sick with lung cancer. It even went so far as to have invasive tumors in her brain resulting in severe strokes. He stayed with her till the end, never leaving her side. Unfortunately, she passed and with her, I lost one of my favorite relatives.

Although, I may have lost a grandmother, I haven’t lost a grandfather. Mr. Joe still comes to visit, eat family dinners, and for special occasions. He even came to my senior year End of the Year Choir Show, where I had my own solo. It was the first concert my grandmother had ever missed. But Mr. Joe came and he told me that if she were here, she would have been so proud of me.

I guess what I’m saying is that love comes in all sorts of packages and may be shouldn’t be dismissed so easily, otherwise you may lose out on something special, like my Mr. Joe is to me.

[silvercamaro]

Lily, that is a wonderful story, and I have no doubt that your daughter's speech was great. You are lucky to be part of such a great family (and you deserve cheers for helping to make it such a great family for generations. I hope your daughter's future children will know Mr. Joe, too.)

[minimetoo26]

That is so sweet! I never had a Grandpa, so I would have loved a Mr. Joe.

[peacock2121]

I am moved.

I love Mr Joe too

[mellytu74]

That was so sweet!

[lilyvonschtupp26]

we spent Superbowl Sunday with Mr. Joe. We were rocking and rolling with the game. It was great. He also loves our game nights were we switch tables. You have to be careful because he will hip check you trying to edge you out to the next table.

he's the one who taught Lisa to jitterbug. Mr. Joe and Grandma Sue were really smooth on the dance floor!

[trevor_macfee]

Thank you. I needed a pick-me-up this morning, and this story did the trick!

[BackInTex]

Tissues please!!


That was beautiful.

[kayrharris]

Having just lost my mom, I love grandmother stories and this is one of the best.

[secondchance]

what a great story.

[lilyvonschtupp26]

I'll scan the picture tonight and put it up for you guys to see. It's such a sweet picture.

When I ask Joe if I could scan it, he went with me to my computer cuz he didn't want it out of his sight.