Dear Gigi,

It's officially been one year since you went home to be with the Lord and there are so many things I wish you could see and that I could ask or tell you.

Remember this picture? You were laying in the hospice bed and not feeling well, but had the biggest grin on your face when you saw my phone screen and I snapped this picture:

I'd like to start off by telling you that Papa is doing well. He's been settled in his new home for a while, and sometimes I worry about him, but I know he's okay. He doesn't really have much of an appetite anymore, and sometimes he can't exactly remember the right words for what he's trying to say, but he has definitely improved from when you first passed away.

My dad/your son is doing well, too. I think he worries a lot about Papa, and he goes to see him a lot, but he is comforted in knowing that you are in Heaven.

My aunt/your daughter is having a pretty tough time...she could really use her momma right now, I know that for sure. Just promise me you'll be with her.

My brother and his wife got a dog. He is HUGE! He's a golden doodle named Simba, and he's actually the best and most fluffiest thing to ever walk this planet. I wish you were here to pet him!

Speaking of dogs, I got one too! He is quite a bit smaller than Simba, but I really think you would love him. All he does is sleep all day and he loves to sit on your lap and cuddle. His name is Cowboy, and he is a cockapoo.

Me? A lot has happened since I saw you a year ago. I'm a junior in college, I joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, I moved into a "big girl" apartment with one of my good friends, and a lot of other new things.

Every night I look at your picture on my dresser. It was a picture taken not too long before you passed, and it is so beautiful. You're standing there, smiling, wearing a bright blue sweater and standing on your back porch. I can still picture you in real life.

I still miss you, love you, and think about you. Sometimes, when I'm down, I flip through your old Bible and look at the verses that you have underlined. These verses meant something to you, and because of that, they mean even more to me. Reading your notes in there and just being able to see your handwriting makes me so happy.

What is Heaven really like? Is it exactly what you expected or even better? I'm guessing it is even better, and I know you love it there. Are you having a good time with your friends, parents, and sister that you were reunited with? Is your old dog, Prissy, there?

Gigi, I know you're loving it there. I just want you to know that you are loved and missed so much. I still have a voicemail on my phone that I listen to from time to time when I'm missing you. There is absolutely nothing more comforting than that.

I can't wait to see you again.

Love,

Your granddaughter.