personal letter

Letters to People Who Changed my Life | Dear Grandpa Jim

Letters to People Who Changed my Life | Dear Grandpa Jim

Dear Grandpa Jim,
Since I wrote a letter to my grandma last week, I think it's only appropriate that this one comes today (even if you are on the other side of my family). To you, the words don't always flow as naturally and easily to my mind. It's not because I loved you less or knew you for a shorter time - in fact, you were around through most of my high school years.

No, it's because of who you were that changes how I write to you now. You were always quiet and reserved and, if I'm evaluating it correctly, a little shy. You were never a big talker and what you did say, you kept short and sweet and to the point. You were always happy to sit around and soak in the conversation, even if you weren't a major participant.

Letters to People Who Changed My Life | Grace

Letters to People Who Changed My Life | Grace

Dear Grace,
It is amazing to me that I have known you your entire life. I met you the day you were born, and have seen you grow up over the past two years in the most amazing ways. Every time I visit you've grown by leaps and bounds, and every once in awhile I look back over my pictures in awe of how big you've become. I've held you when you were too small to life your head, but the last time I visited you were making sentences with words. You are incredible.

You changed my life because you were the little girl who made me an aunt. Now you have a younger brother, and I have another week-old niece to dote on and watch grow. But you were always there first. I remember a time before you were born when I made it out of Target without running into the girls' clothing section. I remember when Christmas wasn't quite as exciting after our family got older and so much of the magic was gone.

Letters to People Who Changed my Life | Dear Grandma Relli

Letters to People Who Changed my Life | Dear Grandma Relli

Dear Grandma Relli,
I know last month marked 14 years that you've been gone, but I still remember you like I saw you yesterday. That was one of your best qualities - you always made me and everyone you met feel like they were home when they talked to you. I remember your tiny little New York house with a piece of land that got covered in the most beautiful red and orange leaves in the fall. I remember laughing until I cried as you described your active war against the squirrels in your yard who tried to steal food from the bird feeder, and succeeded in the most ridiculous of ways.

When we lived overseas, you came on flights that lasted 12+ hours just to visit us, at a time when flying wasn't so common. Looking back, I can't believe you did that alone. I'm sure that was a little scary, but seeing that you cared enough to come and visit despite how you probably felt about it meant the world to us. In fact, it means even more today than it did at the time...