My grandma is one of the most special people in my life. Today, I had the chance to tell her just how special she is to me! I had the unique opportunity to write a tribute to be read to her at a special celebration for her 70 years of service as a pianist and organist for her church.
(Here is a picture from a few years ago when Grandma came to be
interviewed by my second grade students)
With her sweet dog, Ginger and Noah (around 3 months old)
Nervously, a little
seven-year-old girl sat down at the piano for the first time. Her fingers waited
anxiously for instruction as she listened intently to her stern, old fashioned,
teacher Mrs. Wile. Mrs. Wile wore her hair pulled tightly in a bun and wore
glasses that pinched her nose. The lesson would begin as Mrs. Wile placed her
pocket watch on the piano. It was time to learn how to play. The first song she
would learn how to play in 1937 was titled, Long, Long, Ago. Boy, was that song a chore! Mrs. Wile expected
both hands to do something different!
I wonder if Mrs. Wile knew
what an amazing musician her student would become? Even more, I wonder if Mrs.
Wile could ever imagine how the little girl she once taught would go on to
teach so many what she had learned.
Over the years, that little
girl, Pat Ward, has grown to be a great grandmother and has taught multiple
generations what she has learned on the piano and organ. She says that she is thankful for Mrs. Wile
and the way she taught her to play.
As her granddaughter, I know
from sitting down at Grandma’s piano in her magical basement where she taught,
that there was nothing to be nervous about when she was teaching. Although I
was not her student, I often asked her to play for me and assist me in what I
was trying to learn. I could never understand how she could make one hand go
one way and the other go another all the while turning pages of sheet music and
pushing pedals. In addition, I always found myself distracted by knowing she
kept stickers in her piano bench, comics in a basket, and lollipops in a jar for
her students.
I am not sure the number of
students who sat beside Grandma as she taught but I do know, when I was next to
her, time stood still as she played. And when the song was finished, I would
always ask to hear more.
Her music has graced Park
Church for over 70 years. It filled this sanctuary with reverence and has
accompanied many generations in memorable life events, praise, and worship.
And, I am confident, that through her music she introduced the power of the
Holy Spirit to many. as music is a passageway to the heart and soul.
Though many things have
changed over the years, one has not. That is the gentle, kind hearted, spirit
of the one who plays the ivory keys. Though this celebration is a tribute
towards her years of service as a talented musician in this church, I would
like to take a moment to recognize her for not just what she does through music
but who she is at heart.
Grandma’s heart overflows
with the desire to help others. Her blessings are shared with the world through
her compassion for others and self sacrifice to provide and help those in need.
Her laughter illuminates all who hear and quickly becomes contagious. She is a
prayer warrior with a positive uplifting spirit. She demonstrates an incredible work ethic of
commitment, passion and desire to follow the calling of her Lord Jesus Christ.
To me, Grandma Ward has been
an example of the fruit of the Spirit.
She overflows with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Grandma has always been a constant
example of God’s love to her family and those around her.
My hope is each time you are
reminded of my Grandma Ward through a song you hear or a memory you have, you
lift her up in prayer and reach out to remind her that her music still plays in
the memories you have with her.
I would love to hear the many
ways that Grandma has impacted the lives in this church. Equally so, I would
love to hear the many humorous stories that begin with “I remember when….” And end with Grandma’s infectious laugh that
I love so much!
In closing, I think it is
only fair to share a few bloopers that Grandma mistakenly told me about. One of her stories begins…one time the
janitor waxed my piano bench a little too good…Another she tells is of the time
she was playing Nearer My God to Thee when the sheet music fell. She
continued playing with one hand while the other hand was reaching and feeling
on the pedals to find the rest of her music! She shared of times when she would begin playing
one hymn and while finishing would realize she had switched to a different song
half way through. Grandma was just before her time and had her own Gospel remix
going on!
I am so thankful for the
little girl who learned how to play the piano so
many years ago. Even more so, I am
thankful for a best friend who I call Grandma; who has taught me so much more
than notes on a scale. And, I feel certain that she has left you, too, with
more than just memories of beautiful music.
Psalm 95:2 “Let us come
before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.”
Playing for Noah as an infant
Holding Zach
