It’s so hard to believe that it has been 10 years. 10 years since I sat on your lap to watch the fireworks in the mountains. 10 years since you came over with our favorite food and one of your 10 minute long visits (even though you were driving all the way from Winston). 10 years since I said goodbye to you in that hospital room at Duke. 10 years since you became an angel. PaPa, I know I was so young when you died, but I wish every single day that you could see how I have grown up. I talked to mom right before I left for Wofford and we were talking about how much you would have loved it here. We talked about how you would have come to parent's weekend and partied at every single fraternity house and danced to beach music with us.

I so wish that you could have gotten to know Emma and Jack. Tyler, Griffin, and I were so lucky to have gotten the precious years we had with you. Tyler would make you proud. He has been on the Dean’s list at Appalachian State for his first two semesters and is so involved with Young Life. I could not be more proud of him. Griffin is still into the outdoors and working with his hands. He still cracks all of us up. He can drive now, can you believe that? I still can’t (even though it has been a year since he got his license). He has turned out to be the most amazing young man and is graduating high school next year. Emma is a mixture of you, mom, and Griffin. She has the quickest wit and sense of humor of anyone in our family. She gives mom and Jack a run for their money. Little Jack is the sweetest little boy you’ll ever meet. He loves his family, God, and food. Seriously, the boy loves food, just like most of the men in our family. He would have loved you bringing that chicken and potato salad to our house from Winston.

PaPa, I know you would be so proud of how your children have raised us. They have done such an amazing job.

There are so many things I didn’t get to do with you that I wish I had the chance to. I wish you could have been at my high school graduation. I wish you could see me married. I wish you could see your great-grandchildren. I wish that you could be a phone call or a text away if I needed you. But I do know that you are up in heaven and that you are one of the most beautiful angels up there. I know that you and God are cracking jokes with each other. I know that you have been and will be with me through the most important moments of my life. I just wanted to write you this letter in hopes that you will see if from where you are. I love you so much and I cannot wait to see you again.

Xoxo,

Your Hailey Girl