Like many other people, I enjoy the privilege of living near my grandparents and having a close relationship with them. It is time to thank them for all of the things they never had to do, but loved doing anyway.

To my loving grandparents:

Thank you for always being a presence in my life. I am so grateful that you live right next to me or a short drive away. You each played with me as a child, be it watching Pocahontas with me repeatedly or sewing nonsense items. You let me visit your homes to play and leave messes of unfinished games and tea cups on the table. You have also watched me grow into the person I am now. Between attending school concerts, award ceremonies, sporting events, and the always popular Grandparents' Day, you helped to mark the important events in my life. Thank you.

Thank you for helping Mom and Dad. Since I was able to speak, I have said "I'll just stay with Grandma!" more times than I can possibly count. Grandparents make the best babysitters because they always let you get away with things that parents won't allow. Staying at your houses was always fun. You have funny pictures of my parents hanging up, their old toys, and a seemingly endless amount of the best food ever. In addition to simply babysitting me, you have picked me up from school and taxied me around town when my parents were busy with another sibling or work. You even let me control the radio, without too much complaint. Helping my parents with these tasks and the various other things you did made it possible for me to try soccer and not be last kid alone in the school parking lot. Thank you.

Thank you for everything that you have taught me. Elderly people are often seen as being wise, but your own grandparents are always the wisest. Combined my grandparents have taught me to cook, sew, take an interest in history, hunt, be a kind person, be understanding of my parents, how to tolerate little brothers, and countless other things. You each have a life experience that you share with me and pass on important lessons you learned. I am truly a better person for being able to spend time with you and learn these things. Thank you.

Thank you for all the things I don't know you did, the things you still do, and the things you will do for me in the future. I know there are a multitude of things you did to help me or my parents that I will never know about, and I just want to thank you for doing them. You don't do things for me or help your own child because you want praise or repayment, you do them because you love us. You also continue to love, support, listen to, and guide me as I continue to grow and attempt to become an actual adult. I don't know what I would do without you. I also want to thank you for the things that you will do. Just because I no longer live within a short drive, I know that you are always waiting at home with a fresh cooked meal and are always available to help me with whatever I need.

So much love,

Your grandchild