Dear Grandma,

It's your granddaughter here. Just thinking about you. I know you may not know it, but I think about you a lot, every day. Even when I don't call you, you're on my mind. Even when I'm not with you, you're in my heart. I may always be off in one place or another with school, friends, and other engagements, sometimes in the same state, sometimes across the globe, but I am always missing you. You are my favorite person in the entire world.

Growing up wasn't easy, we both know. There were a lot of uphill battles and too many tough decisions. You've seen me at my worst and my best, but no matter how you've seen me, I know that you have always loved me. I'm stubborn and audacious and my expensive taste isn't a walk in the park either (don't pretend, though, like that stubbornness doesn't run in the family), but you always love me. Some of my fondest memories are of us baking cookies or making Passover food, or our latest pastime, spending Friday nights watching all sorts of interesting entrepreneurship and business ventures on Shark Tank. I love that we can talk about anything. It amazes me how much you know about life and the world and how much you have lived. Your family means more to you than anyone I've ever met, and you always stand behind them.

I can't believe you're almost 90 years old. You have seen so much, learned so much, lived so much. You're the best woman I know. You're the strongest woman I know. You're brilliant, knowledgeable, courageous, and have always been so dedicated. No matter what happens, you always want to do the right thing. I have never known someone as faithful to integrity as you are. You inspire me to strive to be the best version of myself every single day. You always look out for me and make sure I am taken care of because you know how important family is. As I continue to grow up, I hope I can be as great a woman as you are. I hope I can have your unfailing courage to do the right thing and take care of the people I love, no matter the cost.

I also want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the times I was being a brat, for all the times I acted foolish, the times I was selfish, and for all the times I didn't listen to you. I am sorry if I have ever disappointed you because disappointing you is one of my most heartbreaking fears. I'm sorry for any time I lost with you because the time we have is precious to me. Most importantly, I want to say thank you. Thank you for everything, for always being a phone call away, for loving me endlessly. Thank you for the cooking adventures, the shopping excursions, the long hours talking about life and the world. Thank you for all your advice and wisdom and for being proud of me throughout all my highs and lows. I know I will never be able to express my love for you in enough words, so I suppose I will just have to give you a big hug next time I'm home.

Above everything, thank you for always being my biggest fan. My dreams mean more when they're shared with you. I love making you proud.

Love,

Kathryn Joy