Dear Gramp,
It's almost been 24 hours since you left us, and I feel an urge to write you one last letter. It's hard to put into words how special you have been to me. You probably never thought of yourself as a teacher, but you were an incredible one. You not only taught me with your words, but more importantly with your actions. You taught me while you were alive, and you taught me during your death.
While you were alive, you taught me about excellence. You were diligent in all you did - your devotion to family and the less fortunate, your faith in God, your incredible attention to detail in your profession, and your commitment to taking care of your health. Thank you for the special e-mails that you sent to me, for helping me with our cookie business, for being there for any person in our family who needed help. Thank you for teaching me the value of hard work. It is amazing to think that 3 weeks ago today you were still working at St. Matthews. Thank you for teaching me about the value of exercise and how it is important to take care of myself. I'll never forget spending time walking with you the day we just happened to cross paths on your way back from Fred Meyer. I also remember the time you told us that you did 200 "scissor" exercises for your legs every day. I remember Mom and I laying down in the living room trying to do four or five!! Thank you for teaching me by your example of how important it is to give to those in need. I was amazed by the amount of mail that you received in your last days from many different charities, thanking you for your generous gifts. Thank you for your faith in God, for the conversation that we had about our faith a week before you died. I will treasure your words and the prayer we shared as long as I live.
In your death, you taught me about life being extremely precious. You taught me not to take for granted the little things in life....being able to walk up stairs, sleeping through the night, chewing my food, swallowing, having strength to stand up, rolling over in my bed. You taught me to be gracious and appreciative even in your very weakest moments. You continually thanked us and told us how much you loved us. You taught me how extra special family really is - that we truly need each other. I spent some very special time with people in our family who I don't usually spend a lot of time with, and my relationships with them are so much deeper. Thank you for giving us the joy, honor, and privilege of taking care of you during your last three weeks of life. I'll never forget lying in your room with you 4 days before you died. Mom was sitting next to you, trying to ease your mind from some anxiety. I quietly listened as you and Mom shared some very special memories with each other. I audio recorded some of these conversations so that we will always be able to remember the sound of your voice. I recorded one of the very last times that you told me you loved me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give Mom support during one of the most difficult times in her life. I know you are so proud of her and so grateful for all that she did for you. I thank God that he answered my prayer that your death would be peaceful. You deserved to move on to heaven in a very peaceful way.
I miss you already, but I know you are in a place that is free of pain, loneliness, worry, and all of the problems that this world brings. I can't wait to see you again. So long for now, Gramp. I love you.
