I can, with all the honesty in my heart, say that losing my paternal grandparents was one of the hardest experiences I've ever been through. I'm sure it's not hard for anyone to say that their grandparents are or were some of the most influential and inspirational people in their life, but my grandparents were truly something special. Maybe I'm partial just because they were my grandparents, but it is evident to me that they positively touched the lives of everyone who came to know them. A lot has changed since they've left us, but their memory will perpetually live on in my heart. As I come upon my high school graduation, I certainly think about them and miss them a little more than usual. If I had the chance to talk or write to them once more, this is what I'd want them to know as I come towards this key turning point in my life...

Grandma and Pop,

First and foremost, I hope you are aware of the remarkable legacy that you left behind simply by being the wholehearted and loving people that you both were. I'm sure you both don't realize what you did for me and for the entirety our family, because to you, that was just life, and I know you both loved every second of it. From the priceless role that you both played in the life of our family to the amazing yet simple wisdom that you each possessed, nothing did or ever will compare to the immensely positive mark that you left on my life. Even though it's going on almost four years since you've both been gone, with losing Pop first and Grandma following a few short months later, not a day goes by that I don't think of you two. I know that this goes for our entire family, too, and speaks volumes to your impact on everyone's lives.

Without ever giving it a second thought, I often contemplate what things would be like if you were still here, alive and well. Even though you are not here with me today, my appreciation for the special relationship that we had increases as I grow with age. Of course, there was never any doubt that I loved you unlike anybody else and appreciated being able to spend time with you, but I also hadn't known differently at any point in my life. In my young head, it was almost like nothing could go wrong; Like Grandma and Pop were invincible and going to live forever. As I've grown older, I've learned to cope with the fact that no one, not even the people that we view as the strongest in our lives, is armored against the inevitable end that we all face from the moment we are born. Even with this being the case, the immense physical and emotional strength that you both had, even during your final days, is something that I know will continue to impress and inspire me for the rest of my life.

When our family lost you, I was only 14 years old, and I remember each of those sad days vividly. In fact, it's almost as if they were yesterday. Since that time, I've done so much and have grown as a person in numerous ways that I wish you were still with me to see and hear about. I know you were always unconditionally proud of me, but I've now reached a very important time in my life that I wish you could be here to witness: I'm almost 18, about to graduate from high school and I have a promising path laid out for higher education and my career. I want to be a music teacher, which I'm sure doesn't surprise you one bit, especially after all of those impromptu performances on "the licorice stick." After my graduation, I'll be heading off to SUNY Fredonia in August, which in case you don't know, is a beautiful school about nine hours away from home. It's a big move, but I know I made the right choice in order to make the most of my college experience, which is a decision I hope you approve of.

When I walk across that football field and receive my diploma on graduation day, which is now less than a month away, I'll be thinking of you, just as I do every day. I'll even be wearing your pictures in a locket under my cap and gown, keeping you as close to my heart as possible. There's nothing quite like the love and admiration that you two always gave so generously, and to know that I'll never get to hear exactly what you would've said to me as I come to this crossroad in my life is something that has a perfect way of renewing the emotions that I felt when I first lost you. Even though no one can bring you back, I know that in a sense, you'll always be with me, watching me and guiding me through everything that I do. The imprint you left on my life is something that will never even come close to being matched, and wherever you may be now, I hope that I've made you proud.

Until we meet again,

With love always,

Your granddaughter,

Amanda