ISABELLE K. RYCKMAN |
ABOUT ISABELLE I remember my grandma being the woman everyone claimed to be their grandma. Every Friday she took the bus downtown to the boardwalk along the beach to feed the stray cats. She did this for as long as I knew her, and as long as she lived in Ventura. There was never a time when she said "no" to someone - no matter what it took or however it could happen, she would help someone who was in need. She was never a woman of many means. She was a piano teacher most of her life and lived on a very meager income, usually barely enough to buy herself sufficient groceries. Yet still, at Christmas time she would take her savings and split it among me and my two siblings and were told to buy what we wanted. Not what we needed, but what we wanted. And although it was only $200, it was the fact she gave me all she had to make sure I had something I wanted. I learned more from my Grandma than anyone in my life. I learned about giving to others, no matter how little you think you have - you still have something to give. I learned that sometimes the most important gift is simply listening to someone's story. I learned not to be so hung up on what other people might think, just be who you are and love every ounce of that goodness. She taught me that you don't have to be blood related to call someone "family" and love was the most important thing one could foster. Impossible was not in her vocabulary, and thankfully it is not in mine either. She reminded me daily to be in love with my life, to have fun, and to never forget what was important. She had fun, she gave from the heart, and she always wanted people to feel as if they were the most important person in the world. She was truly a gift to this world and I hope in some small way, her legacy will continue to move forward in our projects and with Isabelle's House. Read more about Isabelle
Coming Back Friday
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