It's been four years since you lost your battle to cancer. I still have a hard time believing that you're gone and that I'll never be able to see you anytime soon. I still remember the day when I was told you had passed away, I remember it like it was yesterday. That day, September 8, 2012, is the day my world changed forever. I remember my dad calling me into the living room with tears running down his face, and at that point, I knew something was wrong because my Dad never cries in front of me. He looked at me and said, "Poppy passed away this morning." My heart instantly shattered into a million pieces. I remember going to the bathroom, closing the door and just falling to the floor crying my eyes out. My life has been so different without you here. You didn't get to see me graduate this past May, but I know you were there in spirit. You'll never see me graduate college and start my career. You'll never meet the man who will steal my heart. You'll never get to attend my wedding.
While there are so many things that you won't be here for, I'm thankful for the time and memories I did get to share with you. I'm glad I got to be a part of your life story. You were such an incredible man, very wise. You were always there for me when I needed someone. I remember riding on your lap and steering the Ford Lincoln Navigator. I remember you always taking me to Shoney's whenever I said I wanted shrimp or, as I use to call it, 'trimp." I still think about all the times I helped you cook and you would say, "A cook never cleans the kitchen" so grandmom and I would clean up our mess. I miss your cooking, man I miss it. You could make a yummy gumbo and a killer lemon ice box pie. I remember playing baseball with you and my two little cousins in the front yard. I remember you taking me on a shopping spree if I made all good grades in school. I cherish all the stories you'd tell me from when you were in high school and all the trouble you would get in. I appreciate all the life advice you used to give me all the time. I remember all the memories we've ever shared from when I was little 'til now that I'm grown. I think about you every day. Every day something happens that I wish I could share with you. There's a hole in my heart now that you're gone and nothing and no one can replace you.
You were one of my best friends. I miss your hugs, they were always so warm and smelt like Brute which was your favorite cologne. I miss your voice and your jokes. You always made people laugh 'til they were crying. Your death didn't just affect me but affected everyone in our family. Every time we all get together we all talk about you and share our memories with one another. I would give anything to have one day or one minute with you just to hug you, and hear your voice again. I love you and miss you so much that I still catch myself saying I'm going to go visit Grandmom and Poppy, or I'm going to call and talk to my Poppy. Only then I realize that you're gone. I know that you're watching over me from the sky and I hope I'm making you proud. Not everyone is as lucky as I was to have such an amazing, loving grandfather like I did. I'm so thankful I got the chance to know you and share so many wonderful memories with you. This isn't goodbye because I know I'll see you again someday, but for now, I'll simply say see you soon and I love you more that you know.
Love,
your granddaughter
XOXO
