Recently our granddaughter Josie celebrated her tenth birthday. I made her a book of love letters from family and friends. The letters dated from before she was born to the present. Here is the letter I wrote to the 10-year-old Josie.

Dear Josie,

I have been thinking about how hard it will be to write a love letter to you, not because I don’t love you and not because I have nothing to say. Rather I have too many things to say about all the ways I love and care for you.

I knew I would love you even before you were born. On the snowy morning when Dad phoned to say you were born I wept for joy. I remember being filled with love for you as well as your mom and dad. It is like Papa said, on the day you were born all the love in our family doubled.

I have loved watching you learn and grow. Today as I look at you I see that you are becoming such a fine person. You are bright and funny. I especially like to see your kindness and compassion.

I have many memories of you. I will just remind you of a few:

When you were a baby I often took you for walks in your stroller. Even in the winter you would nestle in and go to sleep. You liked sleeping outside. If I took you inside you would wake up, so we often went for very long walks.

It was fun to listen to your baby speech. My favourites are “Vuv vu” for “I love you,” and “Bliblah binking batah” for “Scribbler is drinking water.”

When our dog Jigger had puppies you loved to play with them. Even though you were only two you were gentle and kind to them. They loved playing with you. You especially liked the little female named Mae. You played “Puppy Mae” for several years after.

You have always been very good at drawing. You made interesting tall, thin women and called them goddesses. One day when you were three you asked me, “Grandma, are you an artist?” When I said yes you asked, “Did you get the idea from me?”

For the last three years Grandpa and I have taken you and Sullivan to “Dance and Games for Kids” at Haven. It has become a tradition. I look forward to spending that special time with you. It is a time when I can really appreciate your growing competence and confidence.

One precious memory I have happened just after Old Kukum died. I was trying to get you out of your car seat. You raised your hand and told me to wait. After awhile you said you were ready to get out. You told me Old Kukum had been talking to you. You said she told you, “I’ll always be there for you.”

I want you to know that I will always be there for you too. No matter where you go in life, I will care for you and support you. I am so proud to be your Grandma.

With love,

Grandma

© C O P Y R I G H T   2 0 0 6.  Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.