Dear Grandfather,

In a day and age that is so fragile and built on technology I see my grandfather as a link to a simpler time and a teacher of this fading virtue. Parents always brag about their children. Grandparents brag about their grandchildren and children. Well, I like to brag about my grandfather. I am proud to have him as a grandfather, friend, and biggest supporter. For my past twenty years I am amazed by how he has stood by my side through thick and thin. Held me when I was sick, crying, or so happy I needed to be in his face telling a story.

When I was young I had, like so many little girls, a wild imagination. I wanted to be a teacher one minute and a doctor the next. With this being said, my grandfather paralleled equally being a student and then an ill patient that could only be healed with a kiss on the cheek and a band aid on his boo-boo. Once my doctor skills faded out, he was my playmate at the park teaching me how to ride a bike, hit a baseball (because girls can play baseball too!), and kiss my scratched knees when things didn’t go too well. He taught me how to be a good sport because sometimes even though you swing your hardest, your eye always has to be on the ball.

Some memories we share together no one can relate to. Letting your five year old granddaughter paint your toes pink and wearing it with pride is what makes you the man I always called my prince. When you decided to dance with me in the Nutcracker of my ballet recital, that was my midnight Cinderella dance with my prince. You would carry me up to bed and kiss me goodnight, instead of awakening like Sleeping Beauty, I knew that my prince was sending me into a beautiful dreamland of all of our adventures to come.

Now that I am no longer a little princess on the outside, I remain forever your little strawberry funny face princess in my heart. We share different memories now of going out to breakfast and talking about classes at college and which career choices I am going to make. You no longer wait for me to come running out of elementary school into your arms but wave me goodbye as I drive away. Although these are two very different thoughts instilling two opposite emotions, we both know in our hearts, that is where the other one will be. Together, no matter the distance, just a phone call away, connected by our love and all the memories we share together.

With love,

The Strawberry Funny Face Granddaughter With Much Admiration