Dear Papa,
Tonight I went over to Nanny's house. We sorted through dozens and dozens of family albums. I missed you as I saw pictures of you smiling and laughing. I loved seeing memories of your life that still remain. I loved hearing stories about you and feeling the love that we still all have for you. You died when I was 5. You were a man that I never really got to know well here on earth but I have felt your loving spirit close to me throughout my life. I have thought of you so many times.
I remember when you died the cousins and I went out to your beautiful garden out back and we picked the vegetables. We tried to sell them to people to try and make money to help with funeral costs. In our young minds it was the best we thought we could do.
I want you to know that I have a happy life. I am proud of the woman that I have become and I think you would be too. I wish you could meet the man I married, he is wonderful. His name is John. We try to live the gospel the best we can. He treats me with so much respect. We have such a happy life together. I know you would love him too.
Some times I feel mad at you for leaving us so early. I feel sad that you never got to hear me sing. I feel sad that you weren't at our wedding. I feel sad that you will never get to meet our babies.
But whenever I feel that sadness I also feel you, comforting me. I know you see us all growing and learning. Someday we want to name one of our sons Aaron, after you. I hope we make you proud and that you know we love you.
Thank you for marrying an incredible woman and raising 5 strong children. I am particularly grateful for my mother, Evelyn. She loves you so much and I know she misses you too.
Thank you for working hard to give your children the best that you could. My mother turned out to be the best mother anyone could ask for. Thank you for teaching her the things you did.
Nanny is happy as she is surrounded by her family. She lives a love filled life and we adore every ounce of her. Tonight it took me an hour to teach her how to put all of her scanned photos in to one folder on her computer. I thought she was going to wet her pants laughing so hard about it all. You should have seen it, she is a riot. She is just as quirky as ever. She is so lovely, I wish I could be there to see the two of you reunited.
I hope you know that we think of you.
We speak of you.
We remember you.
We love you.
I can't wait to see you again.
Love your grand-daughter,
Rachel
