As I sit and reminisce about the times I would go visit daddy, the first place I'd want to go see is you both. I remember sitting in that floor in front of that small tv in that wooden rocking chair and watch "Land Before Time" and "Pinocchio" until they ran out and we would have to rewind that old VHS a thousand times. Little feet would run around your house and out the front door. One set would be mine, the others would be my cousins. You both both laughed and loved us, more than anyone I could ever remember.

I remember my sandy blonde curls sitting at the table. You'd hear nothing but the lips of yours widening as they became in the shape of a smile as it grew bigger. Sweet tea sat on the table. Prayers were always said before food was served. Family came together. I was sitting beside you, Mimi. Grandaddy was always right there, too. If you two ever left with giving me something, it was that constant smile and belief in Jesus. If you could ever define love, it was you both.

I looked forward to Daddy picking me up because I knew soon, I'd be sitting on that front porch with my grandmother. It was a blue swing. A swing that told many stories. It gave many hugs. That porch shared a lot of talking and a lot of tickles. I remember something that remained boldly in my mind as I'm leaning more towards thirty years old, I still remember it like I was four. A few words would mumble out of your mouth. You'd tell me; "If the Devil was ever tempting in your life, take your foot and stomp. Stomp the ground and tell him to go away." And today, it's now 2017 and that was in the early 1990's; you will probably still to this day see me stomping the ground because he tries to sometimes get the best of us.

I remember running down those red stairs at Corner Stone. It was a small church where everyone knew everybody. It was a place I'd sit by you as you read your bible and then I went to Sunday School. The taste of that lemonade and those graham crackers still linger on my taste buds that were given to be by Mrs. Carole. I pull out the letter that you wrote to me on a piece of paper that I once scribbled on, teary eyed and all; I read it. As you were sitting in church while I was gone, you wrote me a letter on those blue lines. It was dated Thursday, February eighth, two thousand and one. You wrote the time, too. Ten twenty. In the morning, to be exact.

You wrote "God will bring you back to us." It may have been years after you and Grandaddy passed, but I made my way back. You were right. Back in my Daddy's arms I came. You and Grandaddy helped me pave my bath back to my Daddy, I have no doubt. I may have missed years without seeing you as I grew, but I know one thing; you both have the best seats in town now. Those glasses that sat perfectly on your face, you probably don't need them now.

Those pictures that you carried in your bible are now like the memories that are hung in my heart of you both. They are like the brown eyes that my children carry; all thanks to you. My reflection in the mirror of mine are a constant reminder of you, Mimi. My silly personality that remains the humor in life, was etched in my soul from my Grandaddy, and trust me that gene remains strong. Now it's been passed down to my son and daughter.

I sustained a lot of pain as you both were absent in my life when it wasn't a choice of mine. Nothing made sense as I was a young elementary child. What made sense is I knew and you knew that God would definitely pair my family back together. One day, it'd all be okay. Through times I'd ride down the road, I'd look at the window and cry. I'd cry on the playground in school. I'd remember what it was like being in my Daddy's old pick-up truck; only to be heading to see you both. What was then gone, I'd give anything to have that part of my childhood back.

I heard the song "Butterfly Kisses" on my radio app on my phone. Yes, technology has come a long way, hasn't it? My daughter happens to love that song. She looks a lot like you. My son asks about his great-grandparents very often. He asks me what they were like and who they were. I tell him with a smile on my face and then tell them with tears rolling down like waves in the ocean, from my eyes. They wonder why. I simply tell them; because, "I loved you both so much." Their minds still wonder and endure what memories I can share with them.

It's been a few times now that my children have been to the house that I spent some of the best memories in. I make sure they know just who used to live in that house. This last Christmas holiday was spent in that same house. As everyone opened presents, I found myself starring at the walls. Looking into all the rooms, that same kitchen I once sat at the table with both you and Grandaddy. My feet once again hit those same floors. That yard that I once played in, my toes hit once again. That gravel driveway was my pathway as I walked into your home you shared with us all. I felt both of your presence. I felt those tender hugs around my heart and when I exited out of that same house to head back home. All like it used to be.

I get teary eyed when I hear the song, "Jesus has the whole world in his hands." I remember when my hands would go up in the air. I'd dance like nobody was watching. All these years as they passed, I just know He's had me in His hands. I know you and Grandaddy have helped me along the way in life. You've always been there. Beside me you both sit. In my heart you both remain.

I just want to thank you. Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for giving me, my Daddy. He's been one in a million. Thank you for giving him the same love as a grandparent as you both showed me. Thank you for always loving me until the day you both died. Thank you for never loosing hope. You both died with faith in your heart I'd be back. And, here I am.

I hope you know I am thinking about you. This was in God's plans that I'd write about you. It was in my heart when I woke up this morning on the way home from taking the kids to school, I'd write about memories that will always be stamped to my heart. I hope I continue to make you proud. I hope I'll always to be quick to love and slow to anger.

I think I will go to the store and find my favorite book that you'd read to me; "Donkey Donkey." I think I will add it to my children's collection. Your presence will always guide me, your love will never leave me, and these memories, there are too many good ones to fade.

Thanks for all the times of laughter and love, Mimi and Grandaddy. Continue to guide me on every adventure of life. Continue to be my guardian angels in the times of tough decisions, and help me make all the right ones. The Lord himself needed a hero up there in Heaven. He gained two of the best. I hope and pray that I will only turn out as best as you both were.

If Heaven wasn't so far away, I'd probably give you one of those big bear hugs right about now. I need it. I need them quite often.

Love Always,

Tana, Banana, Hanna, Wanna, Canna