Dear Grandpa,

In case you don’t remember since the last time that I talked to you, I am your granddaughter. I am the one that you held as a baby and took care of when my parents were away at work for the day. It was me who gave you your nickname, “Pops” because I somehow couldn't say "Pop-Pop." I am the little girl whose entire hand could fit around just one of your fingers. I’m the one who you have helped grow up into a young adult. I am the youngest of your five grandchildren, which means that I am also the first to be forgotten. But I am writing this letter as a physical reminder of all of the time that we have spent together.

Do you remember running amuck with me? The two of us would play board games, make pancakes, and watch “Abbott and Costello” until we couldn’t take their corny humor anymore. The two of us would walk around the country club near your house as if we owned the place. Nothing could touch us, the dynamic duo of grandfather and granddaughter. We would eat chocolate pudding mixed with peanut butter, play with Lego houses, and put too much bubble soap in the bathtub, just to make it overflow with suds. You were my happiness.

Do you remember playing games with me? We would always take my kiddie golf set, complete with plastic gold clubs, to the one-hole golf course in your neighborhood and spend hours pretending that we could actually play golf at all. Or we would grab the kick boards and head down to the pool at the end of your block. It was you, in fact, who taught me how to swim in the first place. When the water got too deep for me to stand in, you were always there to hold me up, ensuring that my head never went below the surface. You kept me safe.

Do you remember feeding the ducks? We would wander around your neighborhood, bags filled with entire loaves of bread in our hands. We would take our time and relax, knowing that there was no rush and enjoying every minute that we could spend with one another. While walking to the pond, we would stop to look at flowers and pet all of the dogs that we passed. You reminded me that it is the little things in life that matter.

You taught me life lessons that I will never forget; after all, how could I? Even if you do forget me, I know that you won’t really. I still see your smile when you see grandma. Your eyes light up when you see my mom, your daughter. There is still a sparkle in your eye when you laugh, which shows me that you never really forget it all. And just in case the memories do start to fade again, this letter serves as a reminder of how much you have blessed me. Your youngest grandchild. Your partner in crime. Your best friend.

Love always,

Your little girl