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  • From your Beautiful Granddaughter

    Dearest Grandpa,
    The first words written in this letter have been sitting up deserted at the top of the page for a few days now. Each time I go to open my empty page with an intent to speak to you, I find myself pausing, staring at the vacant sheet, only to end up leaving it behind.

    I wonder each time, if maybe I hadn’t started this letter because it just brings too much pain. However, I know that in my heart, you would be very disappointed if you knew that I didn’t continue to fight those demons by not remaining the strong “Beautiful Granddaughter” of yours. I really miss hearing you say that every time we saw one another and hugged each other so tight.

    As I sit here, finally gaining the strength to speak to you, I’m reminiscing on the amazing memories we’ve had when I was growing up. We often went to your lake house for the day. Upon arrival, you and Helen welcomed us with loving arms.
    During high school, struggling with mental health, you always inspired me to keep going. Giving up every hobby, the one thing you continuously encouraged me to not quit was to embrace my creative side. You were in many of your own “Barbershop Choruses”. You passed on the song “A-You’re Adorable”, that my dad eventually incorporated into my nightly bed-time routines. You are a vast reason why my dad has been the most amazing father.

    You had such a beautiful singing voice, and was always the star of the performance because of your expressive looks and smile as you sang. This, in turn, had caused a sequence of spreading positivity and laughter throughout your lifetime.

    Being inspired by your resilience and strength in your 89 years of life, you have taught me to never give up. You also handed down those traits of strength and optimism onto my dad, who has helped me inherit them as well. That is one of the most important ways on how I will continue to honor your legacy.

    After learning of some of your earlier life events, I was incredibly touched by your strength to enlist in the Navy during the Korean war.  When I feel weak, I can always look back at the time you overcame open-heart bypass surgery in 2010. Your resiliency will continue to motivate me moving forward to stay strong. Your “Pillow Heart” after surgery was gifted to me recently, and will be cherished forever.

    You always understood and never judged. You continuously gave me advice, knowledge, and hope in my darkest moments. When I needed a Medical Alert & Response service dog, you trusted that it was beneficial for me. Though you never physically got the chance to meet my silly doofus, yet life-saving service dog Leo, you were supportive every step of the way.

    Until your regression, I’d call you at night when I was having intense breakdowns. You assured me everything was going to be ok. Our last conversation was you encouraging me to seek the help or treatment that I needed to heal. When I called you from the hospital phone, it wasn’t your usual, strong voice. Conversations were short, but when I told you I love you, you had the strength to voice “I love you too, sweetie”.

    Once I arrived with Leo to your hospital bed, it was an instant connection, laying there unresponsive. Leo went directly towards you like he knew who you were and were calling telepathically. Out of all my other family members, he chose to go to you.
    Writing this letter is what I needed to acknowledge that this is the reality; you’re gone, not able to answer my calls those late nights. You, however, handed down that trait on to my beautiful aunt. I call, she answers just as you did, willing to be a listening ear, giving great advice that she probably learned from you. You’ve blessed all your children with wonderful personalities. You’re the reason they’ve made huge impacts, everywhere. They are also honoring your legacy.

    You’ve taught many life lessons that I will carry on. I’m much like you, and I will continue to honor your legacy by infinitely showing kindness, along with sharing my big heart and expressive smile wherever I go.

    I’ll encourage others as you’ve encouraged me. I’ll spread your positivity, light, ability to spread hope, and treat everyone the same. I’ve inherited these qualities throughout my lifetime. They’ve impacted many lives already.

    I’ll also be a helping hand and listening ear whenever needed. I’ll never stop making that positive effect wherever life takes me, being an inspiration, like you’ve always been to me. And that is a promise.

    I love you. I thank you for helping me be the person I am today.

    -With love ALWAYS,

    Your “Beautiful Granddaughter”,

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