Dear Papa,
You think you have all the time in the world with someone and that this person, whom you love so much, will just always be here. Then, it hits you. Something happens and reality sinks in that nothing lasts forever and in a blink of an eye, your whole world can be turned upside down.
I've never really expressed how much I appreciate you. From all the long hours we have sat up just watching Fox News, to you taking me to practice almost every single day and waiting around for 2 hours until I finished, even when you did not have to. No matter what you were doing, you would stop everything to be there for me and that means the world you me.
You always made sure I was happy and did everything in your power to see my face light up. The love you have for your family is inspiring. You have a different and special bond with each of your grandchildren. You find ways to connect with each of us in such a way that you make us never want to leave your side. You have taught all of us so many things and you were always there to support us in whatever we were doing. You helped us with our passions in life and you made sure to be at each and every event.
My whole life, I've always sought out to make you proud of me. I wanted you to be proud of me in anything I did. Your approval was all that mattered. You gave me confidence I never knew I had. Then when I made a mistake, you were always there to reassure me with a story of your football days, that you've made plenty of those same mistakes, but you got through them. You pushed through all those tough times in your life and reached your goals. You helped me to see the bigger picture and put my mistakes behind me.
When you got sick, it never really sunk in how severe your condition was. You are my Papa, I thought you were indestructible and you could endure everything and anything thrown your way. It wasn't until they told me you might not make it through your surgery that I realized I could lose you, a big part of who I am could be gone in a matter of minutes.
I hope you are as proud of me as I am of you. You have accomplished so much in life and have made a difference in so many people's lives that I hope one day I too will be able to live up to you. Beneath your tough exterior is the gentlest, kindest, and most caring grandfather I've ever had the privilege of having. You are my biggest blessing and greatest prize. I am so beyond blessed God chose me to be your granddaughter. I don't know what I did to deserve such a man like you, but I can not even fathom what my life would be like without you, my hero. Thank you for loving me so unconditionally and helping me in every aspect of life. My heart is bursting at its seams with the love I have for you. You are such an amazing man, father, and grandfather and to just say I love you feels like an understatement. Thank you so much for making me a better person, I love you so much.
Love,
Your biggest fan
