Hey Gramp,

I know that things have been crazy lately, between me going back to school and not being able to see you/talk to you on Sundays much. I'm busy with school and work and getting my life in order and I know you understand that. But right now, I really just wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a great Grandpa and appreciate a lot of things that you have done.

I'm happy for the memories I share with you from when I was younger. Things like playing the board game "sorry" and you saying "sorrrrrry" as you nearly beat me, still makes me smile today. And how could I possibly forget our tea parties in the living room? Us sitting on the couch or on the floor behind the teeny tiny table that held an old, kid-sized tea set that we drank water from the sink in (but pretended it was delicious British tea). That's how I remember spending my days with you. And I wouldn't change a thing about it.

I'm also grateful that my cousins and I were given the same treatment from you - whenever we were around, before we would get bored, you were prepared to take us biking in the Stewart's parking lot, or if it was raining or too cold, you would get on your hands and knees and pretend to be a horse for us. I'm also grateful that now that you are a great-grandpa, you still do this.

I wanted you to know that I am thankful for the Sunday afternoons we have together, now. When I come to pick you up for dinner, I am so happy to hear your thoughts on the book you are currently reading and that I should read it, too; to hear your frustrations with James Patterson writing about three books a year and how the books are almost all the same plot; to hear how much money you won at Bingo; to hear about the friends you make and already have; to hear about your day. I know you think that now that "you're so old," and it means you're day is boring - and it might seem like it to you. But to me, you're just living life as you please, something that I can't wait to do one day, live my life the way I want to.

I'm thankful for the stories and memories you share with me, especially the memories. Through your stories, I find comfort and advice for life and love. When you tell me stories that remind me of the humane and kind and wonderful person my grandmother was, I remember being so young and wanting to be just like her when I got older and I have you to thank for reminding me of that. Or when you tell me the story of how you "just knew" you wanted to be with Gram for the rest of your life, only after dating for a mere two months. That courageous act of yours tells me that love is supposed to be great big leap of faith and of course you are going to fall, but that is the fun of it, the fun of love.

I just wanted to say thank you for being a great dad to my mom and her siblings; a great grandpa to my cousins and I; and a great great-grandpa to my younger cousins. We all love you the same and then some. I know that sometimes we may be a little busy and forget to tell you that, but please know we do.

I love you and I'll be seeing you soon, Gramp.