Aunt Betsy 90th birthday message DG
For July 14, 2020
Dear Aunt Bets—Happy, happy birthday! I hope you and Uncle Bill can have a wonderful celebration despite these strange times we’re all living in. All of us are looking forward to some time in the future when we can all celebrate together and raise a toast to your 90th!
I’m so grateful to you and Uncle Bill for all the wonderful times our families had together when all of us kids were small. In my memory, I can still walk through all the rooms of that warm and cozy red Wayland house; we had so many happy visits there, and many overnights, too. It sort of felt like a home away from home. I remember how wonderful it was for all of us kids, and it must have been equally wonderful for all the parents, too.
As my very first piano teacher, Aunt Bets, you’re the centerpiece of one of my most enduring childhood memories. Who knows how old I was, but I clearly remember sitting next to you at your piano, in that upstairs library room in the Wayland house. (I can still recall that evocative smell of old wood and shelves full of books, maybe a bit of wood smoke).
For some reason, I recall that you asked me to play what the snowfall sounded like (I think I tinkled out a lot of random notes way up on “my” side of the keyboard). And then somehow you explained to me, and showed me, the basics of what reading music was all about. In the simplest, most rudimentary way, I suddenly realized that when the sound of the music went up, and your fingers on the keys went up, the black marks on the strangely lined paper also went up. I remember experiencing that moment of revelation and the rush of childish pride that came with it. The basic concept clicked in.
So many years later, it was such a honor to work with you on your amazing plant book. What an example that is (one of so many!) of your astonishing ability to not only conceive of a project, but then to do the massive amount of work and determination required to make it a reality. When I think about the amount of research you did, the poring through old papers and notes, the gorgeous photos you took, your prodigious editing and organizing skills, it makes my head spin! The end result was a unique and beautiful book, truly a labor of love. Thank you for including me in it.
There’s probably no end to the number of valuable projects you’ve taken on over the years, and the contributions you’ve made to the lives (and also the memories) of so many. From what I hear, you haven’t slowed down one bit! I’m looking forward to hearing what your next amazing endeavor will be.
Have a wonderful birthday, Aunt Bets. And please also convey my love and gratitude to Uncle Bill for so many warm family memories over the years.
Lots of love, Dorrit xxxx
Dear Betsy,
All best wishes and many congratulations on your 90th birthday! It is a great pleasure singing with you in the Concord Chorus, and I look forward to doing so again in person soon. Thank you for your many contributions to the Chorus. They are greatly appreciated. You are indeed one of the pillars of our organization.
Cheers,
Jason Grant
Dear Betsy,
You have been a part of our lives since we moved to Wayland. We first met when you shared your home, delicious blond brownies and introduced us to another dear friend and piano teacher, Andrea. Little did we know that one afternoon tea would incite such a long friendship.
Through our shared love of music and passion for social justice, our paths often crossed over these past 50+ years. And books! In our wonderful book group in the past twenty years I’ve learn what a intelligent, kind and compassionate person you are.
It gives me much joy to have this long lasting friendship. Perhaps someday in the not too distant future we will even be neighbors at Newbury Court.
Meanwhile John and I want to wish you happiest of birthdays. We hope that your friends and family surround you with all the care and love you deserve.
Love,
John and Evelyn