Dear Grandma,

Though this article will most likely be published the day after Mother's Day, the words I want to tell you aren't bound by a passing holiday. The idea from this letter came from the headboard lamp you made by hand which has recently passed down to me: I know it bothers you that your hands can no longer manage such intricate stitchwork. But don't worry, though the time for that has passed, we all love you just as much.

I chose to write to you on Mother's Day because, especially when I was very little, you played a large role in my upbringing. When my mom's maternity leave was up, I was still too tiny to venture into the germ-filled world of daycare, and what better place to go that grandma and grandpa's house? I spent so many years with you and grandpa, playing and growing and laughing. You've been with me through thick and thin, from that time I got poison ivy on my face to the time I broke my arm when I was six and everything in between. I miss the times we used to spend together, but life is crazy busy these days. Times have changed, but that's okay.

My favorite story involving you and I was when I tripped on the carpet while running from the kitchen to the living room of your old house, giving myself a bloody nose in the process. You, the ever-lovely grandma, came to the rescue, cleaning me up and popping my favorite teddy that I'd bloodied into the wash. When his head popped off in the wash, you didn't panic, simply sewing his head right back on and cheering me up wonderfully. The best part of that story? When I got a new teddy bear that proved over time to be my childhood favorite, you made sure to double-stitch his neck so that bloody nose incident never happened again. You've always been that way, caring and thoughtful, helping raise me and tempering grandpa's indulgent "Oh, she can have a little ice cream before dinner!" ways. I had my parents and my grandparents to raise me, a strong upbringing that I'm sure I'd be a different person without.

Even to this day, I know that the steps I'm making as an adult, in college or professionally, are making you proud. Though I don't see you every day after school like I used to, and there's no Thursday night dinners with you, grandpa, and dad, I know you're just a phone call away. I and all of our family love you very much: you raised my mom and four other children without batting an eye. I know you love your children and your grandchildren more than words can express.

I'll never forget baking cookies with you, or running around the entire house to avoid getting my hair brushed after a bath. I'm so glad and so lucky to have you in my life, and I don't know what I would do without you. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for all you did when I was growing up, and all the love you hold for me and our family. You are indescribably wonderful, and I love you very much. Happy Mother's Day, grandma.

Love,

Your youngest granddaughter