Hello there.

I know this is a tad early, but I have work when the date comes around so Gregory and I won't be able to visit you till late at night. Today is Veteran's day so this day is just as special for this letter. Now, since you been gone a lot has happened. And, I emphasis on a lot. Yet, I know you and your special gal are watching so I don't need to explain the worldly events. However, allow me to tell you the personal crap.

For one, I did finish college, the Bachelor's degree is set near your anniversary photo for everyone to gaze up. Um, Alex had a baby, a beautiful girl named Ava. Jordan has a steadier life and the little minions are excelling in school. Also, Gregory and I are finally moving to the other house. (You already met my boyfriend, so I don't need to give you the specifics). Mom and dad are doing well, Aunt Shari and Uncle Bry and Uncle Shawn are well too. Things are actually steady, to say the least. The stories, umm.. that's another story to tell in the next note or when I'm having a beer with ya. But, I promise, there's progress being made.

But, the world, well the world's freaking insane. Everyone is one, yet terribly divided because of complicated stuff I don't feel like talking about right now. Things are a freezing hell and yet, we are still seeing the beauty of Mother Nature. The beauty of people being happy and kind even when shit goes down. It's just weird, you know? To be an observer yet wanting to be an explorer without the disadvantage of obligations to hold me down for a bit. With everything, I wanna give up, but I know I can't since you and Mom won't let me.

It still hurts you know, thinking of the past but having to move forward. It still hurts to sit and write without the urge to cry because I can't express the joy of finishing a story to you. It hurts to want to give up and you didn't tell it was time. You are a warrior and I feel like a butt on a log whenever I want to give up.

As I mentioned earlier, today is Veteran's day. I want to thank you for your service in the Navy along with the other soldiers that still fight today. But more importantly, I want to thank you personally for being a service of a hero on a normal day basis. I want to thank you for the eighteen years you gave up for me to be a grandfather. Aii, right now I'm ready to cry for just typing this, but I'm not going to. Instead, I'm going to post your navy photo here and make you shine for everyone to see. Soon enough, I'll share a photo of you and Moe the next time I write another note to you. So thank you for being one of my heroes and maybe an inner warrior to others as well who needs it.

Love,

Your granddaughter.