Dear Grandpa, Paw, Grandfather, Grandad,

I am not sure what to call you because I never have called you anything. You were taken before I was ever born. For my entire life I have wished that I could have known you even if it was only for a while.

You never held me as a baby, spoiled me with candy or told me you loved me. I find myself jealous of people who go see their grandfathers. People who went on fishing trips as children with their "Pop's" on those tiny boats then went to the convenience store and bought candy. I want to know you and I want you to know me. I want to hear stories from your childhood, when you fell in love with my grandmother, and embarrassing stories about my parents.

But after nineteen years, I have come to accept that you were not supposed to be part of my life. God had plans for you just like he does for me. I imagine you both in Heaven watching over me, guiding me in the right direction, and patiently waiting until we can finally meet.

I have heard so much about you yet not enough. I know that you truly loved my grandmothers. I know you were excellent parents because I can see that in my parents, aunts and uncles. You both worked hard to support families and had to face tough situations. I see your strength in my mother and father and I pray that I have it in me too.

I know that you are the type of men that I would have idolized and looked up to. I know this because of the children you raised and the spouses you chose. Both of my parents have raised me to be a confident, respectful, caring person. I know that you were the same way because you taught my parents how to act which they passed on to me.

I want you to know that you never need to worry about us down here still on Earth. There are so many people in the families that you started who care for one another. I have no doubt that you are the reasons for the love that radiates from each member of my family. I, along with my sisters, will always take care of the wives you both left behind. My grandmothers are the strongest two women I have ever met. I am sure that is from having to take the lead when the Lord called you home. But as they get older and I am becoming an adult, I promise to always look out for them.

Although I do wish that I could have had you, my biological grandfathers, as a part of my childhood, your wives gave my cousins, sisters, and I a grandfather figure. My Granny's second husband gave me piggyback rides through the house till I was sick of it. I was taken fishing with my Papa on his little boat and he helped me learn to shoot a gun. My Papa also drove my sisters and I to the store and allowed us to fill our pockets full of candy. These two men, although not biologically related, gave me the memories that every child should make at their Grandparents house. They love and treat me as their own grandchild. I would not trade those memories for anything.

You have both been gone for a long time and last fall we lost my Papa. I have no doubts that you are all three together looking out for us now. I am so happy to have my three guardian angels and I look forward to the day we will be reunited. I love you.