Dear Grandpa,

Today marks four years. Four years you fell asleep, and never woke up. Four years you left this earth. It was a peaceful transition, painless path that in the end we were all grateful for.

I still remember the service, Uncle George stepping aside to allow me to be the only female to carry your casket along side our family. I remember standing in front of everyone at the service preaching the reading that was picked specifically for your service. I remember holding my head high as dad gave your eulogy. I remember the limo ride to the cemetery being the longest car ride I have ever sat in, and the cold, brisk air that wrapped around us when we stepped out. As the American flag placed on your casket was folded, I shed a tear listening to the beautiful bugle horn echo through the crisp winter morning, the song for a fallen soldier. You were not just a fallen soldier, but a grandfather, father, brother, uncle, and hero. You were a selfless man who did what he needed to do for his country, his family, and his community. When I visit the grave I can still hear the bugle horn echo in the background.

It's been a year since grandma died. Life is just not the same without the two of you. I miss being able to call her when things got rough, and I remember all the times when I would call and talk to both of you. Grandma always seemed to answer, and then you would be on the other line. I remember all the games that you both would come to, lawn chairs in hand, sitting right behind the backstop. I remember all the holidays and birthdays and family gatherings that made me love my family and make them my priority.

I am twenty years old now. I am attending Milwaukee School of Engineering as a Biomedical Engineer. I chose this path because of you. I wanted to help you and grandma. I wanted to make your lives easier. I am on the softball team, and I actually am hitting, you wouldn't believe it. I am a member of Lambda Zeta Nu, a sorority here on campus. I bet you never thought that I would be a member of a sorority, but I did and I have met some amazing people that I wish you could meet. I also have two jobs! My life is a little crazy balancing all these aspects of my life and I am always busy but it's a good busy.

Morgan and Bailey are all grown up. You would fall over laughing watching Bailey do the juju, or reading Morgan's ridiculous tweets. I'm sure that you would get a kick out of the fact that Morgan sells hot dogs at Home Depot, and amazed by her strength and persistence through her first year of college. I'm sure you would be amazed by Bailey's new journey into pole vaulting, and interested in her new found humor. I am still dating Charlie, the boy you met at one of my high school softball games. It's been almost four years together, and we even got a cat. I don't remember if you even like cats, but you would love Oliver. Dad said he was allergic, yet I catch him playing with Oliver every once in a while. He is a very social cat who is talkative and loving, and I am sure he would have captured your heart too.

You are greatly missed. Me and dad have been going through all of grandma's photos and keepsakes, learning more and more about the two of you before even dad knew you. I love finding the articles about you at the fire station or the one time you and grandma found a large bag of checks in the street. I love seeing the photos of you and grandma from when you were young, happy and smiling and enjoying your life. These photos give me a sense of hope that I will be able to have a love that was so strong and beautiful like yours.

I love you, grandpa.

God Bless,

Caitlyn Moran