Dear Gramma...

By this point, you won't be able to read this in person. I wish I had written this earlier so you could've seen it. But, maybe once you've unpacked all your belongings in your new apartment up in heaven, your spirit will be able to take one last trip down here to read this good-bye letter.
I really don't know where to start with this. There's so much I want to say, but nowhere to begin. My mom has told me so many stories about the day I was born, and how happy you and Pa were to finally have your first grandchild. And then you were blessed with seven more! You got to watch us grow up, teach us new things, tell us stories, play with us... so many good memories.
One thing I'll always remember is all the sleep-overs we had at your house. We would always go out for dinner, watch a movie, play games, and we always had so much fun! Then, when we woke up, you'd make us breakfast; I always asked for your home-made pancakes, or waffles. (That's another thing I'll never forget; your cooking!)
Spending holidays with you was always so much fun, especially Christmas! After Mike, jack, and I had opened all our presents from Santa, we could hardly wait to get in the car, and head up to your house. We had a little breakfast there, talked for a bit, and then (drum-roll please) PRESENT TIME! The presents you got us were always the best ones. (besides the ones from Santa, of course) You were such a generous person. I used to always think to myself "Man, if she has enough money to get me this, how come she doesn't just buy herself a mansion?"
You somehow always managed to stay in a great mood. Every time we came up to visit, you'd always have a big smile on your face. It's almost as if it was hard-wired into your brain that you couldn't ever be in a bad mood! You made jokes (that reminds me; I'll miss your home-made, moldy lemonade too!), and laughed at mine. You spoiled me and my cousins like crazy!!! You just always knew how to make us smile.


But, as they say, all good things come to an end. I can't begin to describe how much I'll miss you, and love you, and I know you love me too. I could see it on your face when I came to visit you for the last time a couple days ago. I walked in, you were sleeping, and Aunt Joan gently woke you up, and said, "Ryan, Jack, and Michael are here to see you." You're face seemed to brighten up so much, and so quickly! I held your hand for a while, feeling how warm it was. That assured me that you were still here with us... at least for the moment.
When Dad gave me the news I was speechless. I didn't cry, but only because I had prepared myself for this. I would have cried if I could, but I just didn't have the urge. I just knew you were finally in a better place, not struggling, or suffering. It'll take a while for all of us to adjust to this huge change, but we'll eventually adapt to it, and never forget how it used to be. You were the only grandmother I ever had, and I'm glad you were willing to take the job. I couldn't ask for a better Gramma.
Someday, we'll all tell Ava and Mia about you, and how much you loved them, and all the things you did for them. Obviously, they're too young right now to comprehend what's going on, but I just know that they know that you love them so much, just like you loved all of your other grandchildren.
You were so strong, fighting off this cancer. Five whole years you were able to last! Your nurses said they've never seen anyone live that long with the disease you had. But, it finally got the best of you, and no one can blame you. You put up quite a fight, and you just got a little too tired out. But, hey, we've all gotta go sometime, right?


They say that one day your life will flash before your eyes, and that you should make it worth watching. I'm willing to bet that whatever flashed before your eyes could have made an academy-award winning movie. I'm glad that I got to be part of it.


I love you, Gramma. We all do, and we always will. Someday, we'll all be together again. Save some room in your heaven-apartment for us, okay? We'll all think of you every day, and know that you're looking down on us, smiling, thinking "Wow, look what I've started!"
One, big, happy family.
And do you know why I know all this?
Because I love you.


Your first, oldest, loving grandson,
~Ryan.