Seventy Years of Greatness (and Sweet Bread)

A Speech I gave for my Grandpa at his 70th Surprise Birthday party~

Hi Gramps! First off, thank you all for being here tonight. If it weren’t for each and every one of you, this surprise wouldn’t have been nearly as big or as special. Now, I’ll be honest… the hardest part of planning this whole thing wasn’t picking decorations or coordinating details it was staying away from you Grandpa on the weekends! We’d get together to work on everything, but something huge was missing: your presence.

Gramps, we just wanted you to feel how deeply you are loved, how much you mean to all of us. The love in our hearts? It started with you. You loved us first. You showed us how it’s done.

 I’m beyond proud to stand up here tonight as Joe’s first grandchild. And since I have the mic, I’m going to take a moment to tell you just what you’ve meant to me. From the bottom of my heart thank you. For being the greatest (yes, Grandma, I’m only saying “great” once!) grandpa to my daughter, Marisa. Watching you love her the way you loved me all those… not too many years ago, fills me with so much gratitude. When I see her in your lap, in that magical chair where so many naps and giggles live, I remember how it felt safe, worthy, treasured. And now, you’re passing that same gift to her. You didn’t just give me the best childhood you're still giving to me, through her.

You're one of the most important people in my life. You bring light to my days just by being you. Back when I lived in Plano, I realized what I missed every time you and Grandma came to visit. You’ve always been the fun grandpa the one with the stories, the laughter, the little mischievous spark that clearly hasn't faded.

Thank you for all the lessons like how to blow massive bubbles (and bubbles inside of bubbles), how to creatively win aka...cheat at card games, and how to never turn down a game of hopscotch. You always make time for the people you love, and that’s exactly why this room is full tonight. You've taught me what really matters: Eat a donut with a friend don’t rush it. Have coffee and sweet bread with the ones you love. (Even though you do brag because you know all the best pan dulce spots.) Walk around Woodlawn Lake, throw rocks, peel oranges, and never forget to stop at the ice cream man especially when you’re charming enough to score extra Raspa juice.

You’ve never stopped being this incredible, generous man not for me, and not for Marisa. I hope you know what a profound impact those little moments have made in my life. And now, as I get older and start reflecting on my own path, I recognize how much of my strength and joy and wisdom comes from you.

My life is better because of you. Thank the Lord you're my Grandpa. Happy 70th Birthday! We love you so much.