My grandpa passed away a few years ago. He was an amazing character and person and I miss him sometimes. So I decided to write this letter to him because I believe in miracles and that somehow he will see this.

Dear Bumpa,

I am currently a sophomore at Eau Claire. I have no major so if there is any sign or huge signal you want to send me that would be great and super helpful. I know that you always told me to put all of my effort into everything I do and right now all my effort is slowly draining in this process. Other than school, there is no boy in my life. No worries I will stay away from the hooligans and heart breakers.

Honestly my life is going really well. I love Eau Claire and my roommate and I are doing amazing. We actually just signed a lease to a house with two other girls last month. I didn’t even think I was old enough to do that already. Trust me time has flown by. Oh, another thing about Eau Claire is that northern Wisconsin is fairly cold in the winter and late fall.

Also, the red truck is doing well and holding up. I’m hoping it lasts me a couple more years. I honestly couldn’t imagine driving anything else. Although there are definitely days, especially in the summer I’m pretty sure I can still smell the spilt milk. And there are days that I can feel you riding with me.

There are actually a lot of times that I can feel you there. Like cookie decorating the first Christmas without you. I swear you pushed me out of the way to get to the cookies. Or graduation, even without you actually there, you were still there. Actually I pretty much feel you anytime we get together as one whole family. There is always this calm in the air and throughout the house and you would think that you are there. Honestly I think your presence was partially felt through the dog, but even without her here now there is still enough presence and dog hair around for the both of you.

Speaking of the dog, how is Maggie? I can only imagine the amount of food the both of you have consumed or how many geese and ducks you have hunted. I’m sure she is a great companion up there. Just like she was here. I know that she had a hard time without you just like the rest of us.

We all had hard times with it. And I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner but I didn’t think I was ready. Honestly I think I have finally overcome whatever feelings I was battling around your passing. I couldn’t help but think about how I knew you the longest out of all the other cousins or how I got to spend that much more time with you. I realized that there was nothing I could do and that if you could have chosen you would have chosen to stay with all of us to see us all grow up.

I just want to tell you how lucky I was to be your granddaughter and to have been raised with such strong characteristics. I couldn’t have imagined my childhood any other way.

Gramma is doing really well, I try to spend a lot of time with her. She is a huge role model for me and I could only wish to be half the person she is. So you definitely chose right all those years ago. As for everyone else they are doing really well. All of us kids are growing up to be our own individuals. We are definitely still finding out who we are and what we want to be. Honestly as a whole we are doing really well and are closer than we once were.

I hope I will feel your presence soon or see some sign- I love you and thank you for being the brightest star in my sky.

Love,

Hannah