Dear Gramma and Popa,

I want to start off by saying first and foremost how much I love you both and how much I miss you. I think about you both every single day, and a big piece of my heart is missing without you here.

I never got the chance to tell both of you how inspiring you two are. You both fought so hard to beat cancer, you both worked so hard for everything you had, you both taught me about love, and you both loved your family with every ounce of yourselves.

There is an non-replaceable hole in my heart since you've been gone. Popa, I know you left us first, and I thought that was the worst thing that could ever happen until almost eight years later when Gramma left us. I keep thinking about what you have missed and what you will miss in my life.

My heart hurts that you will never get to meet my husband or my children. That you will never get to see me in my career and with the life I've built.

While, yes, all of this brings me down, I have one reoccurring thought that helps. I think about how lucky I am that I had you both for the time I did. Yes, I'd go to hell and back just to have you here again, but I sit and think of others who never even got to meet their grandparents, and that is truly what breaks my heart.

How lucky am I to have had two such influential people in my life. Two people who taught me so much about bravery and doing the right thing. Gramma, you gave me my sass and my ability to stand up for myself and what is right. Popa, you gave me the courage to speak up and always know that my family has my back. And, to you both, you gave me countless memories. Memories that I will cherish the rest of my life.

I love you both more than I know how to express, and I know you are with me always.

Love,

Your Granddaughter