Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Cynthia Groopman

March 15, 2008

My life as Speech Maker
by Cynthia Groopman

Last night, as I was trying to fall asleep, I began to think of the many speeches I have given during the 59 and one half years of my lifetime.

Thus, I decided to take you back on my journey as a speechmaker, so come along with me and enjoy yourself.

I was always a chatter box as a young child. I would officially greet friends and family when they would ring our doorbell and enter our apartment.

One day when I was six years old and the family was celebrating a birthday for one of the elderly relatives, I went to the middle of the room, and began to make a speech about uncle Harry who was our great uncle, our maternal grandmother's brother.

The words flowed out so smoothly and everyone was surprised. I received many hugs and kisses that night.

Thus every time there was an anniversary, Bar Mitzvah, wedding, birthday, graduation or other special event, I was called upon to give a short speech. I did not need notes since everything came from my heart.

I was getting good at this and my family really loved my new found talent.

At age 8, I gave a recital at my music school and gave a short speech about the composer.

My music teacher liked this idea and gave me the task of introducing each entertainer.

When I was twelve, I gave a speech at the school's recital about my music lessons, music teacher and pieces I was going to play. I even added humor to the speech. Again, the principal enjoyed it and told me I should become the official speechmaker. I spoke before the PTA and also before other groups.

The words were flowing and I was developing poise.

In high school, I did take speech as a course and had to make the all important senior speech which was needed to graduate.
I gave a talk on the Supreme Court without any notes and did well.

I even made a speech before the incoming freshmen and to the outgoing senior class.

These were happy topics and I was rolling along.
I thought of being a public speaker and had dreams of speaking before large audiences and important people.

College had speech class as well and I had to make speeches on different topics.

I did well and was asked to help students who were having problems with speech.

My ability to give a good speech earned a good grade for me on the real part of the teaching licensing examination here in NYC. The board of examiners were really curious as to how a 21 year old senior can talk so well.

As a teacher, speech giving was part of the job in order to motivate my students. I gave speeches to the PTA and parents and also at parent’s night and open houses.

Then one day my speechmaking was of a sad nature. My young cousin,Sammy, who was 28 passed away of a sudden heart attack and I was asked to give a eulogy. It was the first time I gave a sad speech and moved the audience to tears.

I know Sammy was smiling at me up in heaven. Time went on and there were wedding speeches for my cousins and life was
sweet.

I even gave speeches at board meetings in my co-op.
20 years ago, on February 28, 1988 when I lost my eyesight suddenly through adverse side effects to prescription medication, my life changed and my speech making took on a different tone and flavor.

After rehab, I began making speeches to educate others about blindness, and gave speeches to local civic groups, and schools.

When I began to work for Delamonica Senior center, I began to give speeches about the Jewish holidays, customs and foods eaten by this religious group. I also gave speeches to the seniors about blindness to educate them and also about national holidays.

Of course, there were more eulogies for my grandmothers and uncles and aunts and more tears and more moving of the audience.

However, I never knew that during this time of my life, I would begin to make different kinds of speeches and those were acceptance speechesfor awards and honors.

The new task began on September 29 1999 when I gave two speeches to the Woman's Board and Dean and Guests at the reception at the Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka Il, after receiving the coveted award as student of the year for 1999.

There I was pouring out words of triumph and joy when tears of happiness poured from my heart.

That never happened to me before because I always made speeches about others.

Then, like magic there were more opportunities for these acceptance speeches as more awards were won and I had to appear at more ceremonies.

In Nov. 1999 I was the catholic Charities Volunteer of the year and was blessed by the Monsignor and also gave a moving speech. So many people assembled cried and were moved emotionally.

Time went by. I had the sad occasion of giving a eulogy for my beloved dad and cried as I gave it and so did the others.
More awards occurred in 2002 2003 2004 2005.

I made speeches at ordinary ceremonies and was so triumphant.

On Sunday September 17, 2006, I gave the best speech of my life as I stood at home plate at yankee stadium and received the liberty Medal.

Pictures of Lou Gerig and Babe Ruth and the great ones appeared in my head as I spoke and moved 54,000 people to their feet. That was the greatest day in my life.

When I had to give recorded speeches on the radio as hometown hero or everyday hero I encountered a new experience. I was talking to a tape recorder in a closed  studio and that was really the first time I ever did that.There was no audience and I had to pretend  there was one.

The saddest speech I did make was at the funeral of my mom. I stood there on the cold November day in 2004 at the graveside reading a poem and speaking from my heart and my tears froze onto my face.

The speech making continued but in another realm. I joined the synagogue in 2000 and became active. Before long, I gave the sermons when the Rabbi was out of town and again, words of wisdom poured out of my mouth from my heart.

As co-president since 2005, I have given speeches at graduation parties of congregations, weddings, baby naming ceremonies, and at board meetings. This year will be special for me since I will give another great speech of my life and that will be on June 13, 2008 when I will be receiving the congregant of the year award and plaque. I have come a long way since the childhood speeches.

However, the most spiritual triumphant speech I made was at my Bat Mitzvah in August of 2001 and there I dazzled over one hundred people.

Crying for joy occurred amongst the audience. Every year, I give a speech asking for money and plead and feel so emotionally spent
afterwards.

Thus, speech making throughout the years has become a joy and a talent.

I know I have inspired others and touched minds and hearts and souls through my speeches.

Cynthia Groopman