Dear grandpa,

I just wanted to let you know that I miss you so much every day. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard that you had passed away. I was watching a movie with my friends when I saw I had a missed call and a voicemail from my mom. I listened to the voicemail and heard the sobs, my stomach dropping as I called her back. When she answered and told me the news, my heart sunk with the realization that I would never hear you call me "Hailey Suzie" ever again.

Losing you has been hard on all of us, even two years later. But it was especially hard those first few weeks. It's always hard around this time of year for our family. You were such an important part of the family, and without you there's a hole in all of our hearts that only you can fill.

I remember when I was younger and I would come stay in Mankato with you and grandma. I would wake up every morning and you would be out in the living room watching baseball while grandma slept. Once I was up, you'd always come join me at the table and eat Krispy Kreme donuts with my while you read the paper. Or when we'd come down and visit during school breaks, you'd always pull me onto your lap and say, "Hey there Hailey Suzie, got any new boyfriends I should know about?" and I would always say "Noooo grandpa," and then give you a big hug and then hop off your lap to give everyone else a hug. I miss your hugs, you were always so strong and hardworking. As you got older, you got sick, but I will forever remember you with big strong arms and wearing some sort of flannel button up shirt. I remember growing up watching baseball with you during those mornings while we ate donuts. You were always the comedian, cracking jokes and making everyone smile, even when you got sick.

When you were moved into a nursing home, we still made it a point to visit you every time we came to town. It was so strange seeing you there, looking so fragile. Even though you were sick you still called me Hailey Suzie and made your funny jokes and still watched baseball, so it felt like things didn't really change. I knew in the back of my mind that you could die one day, but I never thought it would be that soon.

The day you died was a hard day for all of us. Hearing the gun shots go off during the 21 gun salute was when it fully hit me that you were gone. That was the moment that I knew that I would never feel your strong arms wrapped around me in a hug, or watch baseball with you ever again. But I also knew that you were no longer in pain and that you were watching over us all.

It's always hard around this time of year without you grandpa. We all miss you so much. We miss your smile, your laugh, your hugs, but most of all, we miss your love. I hope you're watching lots of baseball up there in heaven grandpa. I love you and miss you so much.

With Love,

Your Hailey Suzie.