Josie Guillaume Guth’s Tribute

When I was eight years old, my family moved from Denver to the Chicago area. Since then, I have never lived more than 2 miles away from my grandma Gaye. In fact, most of my growing up years, I lived a bike ride distance away and I would take every chance I could to spin my wheels to her house. Everyone in this room can appreciate how blessed and fortunate I have been. She has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life.

Gaye had very distinctive hands. Hands that looked like they had lived life hard… big knuckles, short fingernails, and large protruding veins. I was always drawn to them (And not just because they gave me the world’s best back rubs and karate chop massages)! I loved holding them and staring at them. They always looked older to me than she actually was. I remember as a little girl, playing with them and saying out loud to her… ”Gaye, I don’t want you to get old.” And she didn’t. She watched me grow up and she was there for the birth of my three children and each of them have a myriad of memories with her that they will never forget. Her longevity is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me.

Most all of my significant memories with Gaye occurred in her kitchen. It was there where I was most often greeted. A greeting that made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered in that moment. Besides learning to love good for you food that consisted of beets, legumes, carrot juice and anything whole wheat, I learned a few things that have shaped the way I will live my life forever.

In her kitchen, I learned how to treasure people… By the example of how she treasured me I learned that everyone needs and wants to feel validated and understood. She taught me the power of touch, how to ask great questions, how to listen more than you talk, and the important lesson… you can’t love people when you are in a hurry (I’m still working on that).

In her kitchen, I learned about leadership. Many people define leadership by the scope of one’s influence.. and my grandma has influenced people not only in her precious family but all around the globe. Grace didn’t run a company, or speak from a podium to large groups of people, she never ran for office, or worked outside of her home. Grace’s platform was her kitchen and she did leadership Mother Teresa style… one life at a time. She loved and treasured well every person close to her and they in turn touched a life that touched a life that touched a life.

On Wednesday morning, March 17 I had the privilege of holding the hands I loved so dearly as she slipped to meet her maker… just outside her kitchen. I will miss her dearly and deeply, but I am more inspired than ever to keep touching lives with the lessons she taught me…

– Josie Guillaume Guth, Granddaughter
Friday, March 26, 2010