Dear Mama Hilda, Mimi, and Papa,
Where do I even begin?
Mama, thank you for all the countless hours of tutoring me in algebra and geometry. Thank you for texting me all the time and asking me constantly how I am. Thank you for always keeping me updated with your daily Facebook statuses at the end of a day, if it wasn't for that I would never know if you went to Kroger that day (but honestly I just assume that you go to Kroger every day.) Thank you for always letting me commoner and rant about pointless things for hours and hours. You've taught me that it is okay to be opinionated even if everyone else is against it. You've taught me that family is always important through our Sunday night dinners at your house. But most of all you've taught me to always lend a helping hand when you can. Because of you, I've learned to always be the first to volunteer and to not be afraid to speak my mind and have an opinion.
Mimi, thank you for teaching me to be southern and somewhat sassy. Thank you for teaching me how to pray for those who are mean to me at such a young age. Thank you for always bringing pasta and salad to every potluck for me when I was younger because I was such a picky eater. Thank you for introducing me to the music of Elvis Presley when I was younger, which inspired by young and unusual obsession with Elvis. Thank you for constantly driving me back and forth to church on Sunday so I could take sign language classes and sing in the youth choir too. You've taught me so many things but the most important thing you've taught me is how to cherish memories. You may not remember all of the things you use to do for me and how I use to spend the night with you every single Saturday night but I do. Because of you I've learned to take in everything and enjoy the moment.
Papa Benefield, thank you for driving me around in your 55' Bel Air when I was younger and letting me feel like the coolest kid in town. Thank you for always popping a bag of popcorn for me every Saturday night. Thank you for letting me listen to older country when I was younger and always singing "On the Road Again" before we got into the car to go anywhere (I still sing it sometimes when I'm driving now.) Thank you for always getting to church an hour early before any performance I was in just so you could video it. You've taught me that in order to be strong you don't have to be emotionless. You can ask for help when you need it and not be ashamed of it. Because of you, I've learned to not bottle things up and talk things out.
Papa James, thank you for teaching me about the importance of life at such a young age. You passed away when I was only 7 and the few memories I have of you were when you were sick but from all the stories I've heard I already know the type of man you were. So from your stories I can honestly say thank you for teaching me the importance of going to church every Sunday. Thank you for showing me that it's okay to make your own path to find something your passionate about. Thank you for having an amazing work ethic and showing that through your farm. I know you would have taught me so many more things but the fact that you are healthy up there is good to me. Because of you, I've learned that you can learn many things from someone you didn't have long enough with.
So thank you all for saving every program for every single theatrical production I was in. Thank you for constantly spoiling me with love, turtleneck sweaters, Barbies, and brownies of course. Thank you for showing up to all my plays, cheer tournaments, soccer games, and award shows at school. You have all taught me so many different things in my life and I wouldn't be the person I am today without you all. All four of you have impacted my life in a different and unique way. I love you all very much and appreciate everything you've done.
Love Always,
Your Grandchild
