For most of my life I have lived without a real father, but that is where my grandfather came in. He has always been more of a father than a grandfather to me. I would celebrate father's day with him instead of treating it like any other day like most people with absent fathers do. I have always been super close to my grandfather and the past few weeks have been really hard on me.

The week before I started back at school my grandpa was admitted to the hospital for some minor medical problems that needed to be addressed. After a week in the hospital and loosing a couple toes and part of his foot he went in for surgery to have his foot closed up. The surgery went fine, but while in recovery something happened and he began to have trouble breathing. We found out he was in congestive heart failure. We thought he wasn't going to make it through the night. My mom drove to Mobile to get me from school so I could see him one last time incase he did pass away. Luckily, he began to improve as the doctors removed some of the fluid from his lungs. He is doing much better than he was a week ago, but there is still a long road ahead.

As I was sitting in the ICU waiting room waiting to see my grandpa all I could do was think of all the good times we have had together. All the trips back and forth to Mobile, all of the school events he attended with me, and everything else we have done together. I honestly do not know what I would have done if I had lost him that night. Every time I see him I can see the progress he has made since that horrible night.

We have so many more things to do before you go, so you better continue to get better old man! I love you! You have to watch me get married and you will be the one to walk me down the isle, and I want you to be there for my graduation from Spring Hill! There are so many things I still need you for, you can't leave me yet. So, just keep getting better and come home!

I love you old man (inside joke).

Sincerely,

Young Girl.