Dear Grandma,
You are the woman I look up to the most, the woman I have so much respect for. You have been through it all, and as I get older, I appreciate you more every day. Even those times when you get a little sassy and sometimes pretty blunt. You appreciate the little things like handwritten cards and letters, especially from your grandchildren. You have about 1,000 pictures of your grandchildren all over your house, and it goes to show how proud you are to be a grandmother. I would like to write you this letter to tell you how much I appreciate having a woman like you in my life.
You raised your own children well into adulthood and shaped them into the people they are today. You witnessed your grandchildren grow, and here we are graduating college, getting jobs, and getting married. Some of us even have children of our own. Growing older can be both beautiful and scary. It is scary to look back and see how quickly time flew by, but beautiful because of the memories and experiences along the way.
When you were diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I was so unbelievably upset. I knew things would change from here on. But I never have (and never will) view you as a weak woman, and I will never define you as this disease that you have. I still see at you as my loving and sassy grandmother who I love. You are going to forget some things, and I understand that you can't help it. Maybe you are even a little scared. I don't blame you, grandma—everyone is scared to forget. I really do know what a tough lady you are, and I know you can handle whatever is thrown at you. Not to mention, you will always have your family by your side. And no matter how much this disease progresses, we will all be there to help you through it.
I am lucky enough to be able to call you any day and know you will be there to answer on the other side. I can call you when I'm having a bad day, and your happiness, just for speaking with me, can make my day so much better. I always appreciated our mutual understanding of one another. We always worked well together; I need someone to laugh at my jokes, and you are the funniest person I know, even on days when you may not feel your best.
I love you, grandma, sassiness and all. We will always be your biggest fans.
Love,
Your Granddaughter
