As I write this letter, you are just over three years old. Sometimes you seem close to being a teenager, and other times, I see you want to run back to babyhood, back to a bottle, a pacifier, and a lot more forgiveness. Now, you are expected to know things, and you do. You are expected to act in a certain way and be more of a grown-up little girl and big sister. Do things like go to the potty, drink out of a cup, count to 20, not only know the alphabet but be able to read words, use silverware and place a napkin in your lap at dinnertime. You are expected to be polite with thank yous, and you are welcome, and expected to never ever misbehave.
Of course, you are only three and already growing so fast. It is impossible for any of us, even 65-year-olds like me, to always do the right thing. Grandma wants to ensure you remain a happy, creative, and thoughtful kid, teenager, and adult for as long as possible, at least when you are at Grandma & Grandpa’s house! I want this to be a happy place for you, full of beautiful memories. I will do my best. I hope to watch you grow into the lovely, intelligent, talented, warmhearted young woman I know you will become.
“There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow. Shining at the end of every day, There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow is just a dream away.” …from Disney’s Carousel of Progress
We sing this in the car most mornings on the way from your house to mine, loudly but somewhat in tune. You know every word. You know all the words to many songs, especially ones from Disney. You currently also like:
“One little spark, of inspiration
Is at the heart, of all creation.
Right at the start, of everything that’s new.
One little spark, lights up for you.” …from Disney’s Figment
Such positive and hopeful messages in these songs. I hope you feel that way most days of your life. I know it is impossible always to feel up, but when the sad times come, I hope you will remember all the love that all of us feel for you, your Mom and Dad, your sister Josie, Grandma & Grandpa, your Nana and Papa Joe that was alive for your 1st fourteen months of your life.
You and your sister have given us all so much joy and laughter, as your Dad did when he was younger. Your Dad also brings pride and assurance as he has become such a caring, thoughtful, loving, and fun dad, husband, and son.
Grandpa, me, your Mom and Dad, and Josie have gone on two week-long Disney trips so far and are planning another at Christmastime at the end of this year. (2023) We have had so much fun watching you experience “The Happiest Place on Earth” for the first time.
I admit, we were a little concerned at first because neither you or Josie had been out in big crowds that much since you were born during the COVID pandemic. (Mostly 2020 thru early 2022). It changed how we all lived, isolating ourselves, wearing masks everywhere (even outdoors), closing down businesses, travel bans, lots of hand sanitizer and toilet paper shortages, getting vaccines, and keeping a six-foot distance, even from you! But as time heals and we’ve adjusted, we’ve gotten back to “normal living” even though some things won’t ever go back to the way it was, and in some cases, like more outdoor dining, that is a good thing.
At Disney, you felt safe and excited to meet as many characters as possible, like Elsa, Anna, and Joy. You are not shy in any way and feel comfortable around all different kinds of people. You have an old soul. (You had some fear of bald men, like our handyman Chris, when you were younger, but you were soon dancing like a robot and laughing with him.) My good friend Matty came to visit with her sister Layla and dog Toby, and they both remarked for months how grown-up and polite you were, down to eating with utensils and putting a napkin on your lap. You just wanted to be “one of the girls.”
You are a very special child Lilly. You are loving, observant, smart, independent, talkative, funny, and beautiful. You love to sing, dance and put on a show in front of the camera. I am a little biased because I am your Grandmother, but all of this is absolutely true!
I hope to be around for many years and watch you grow up and take on the world. I have a picture in your room since you were a baby that says, “The world is a much better place because you are in it.” That has been true since the moment I found out you were to be born and was cemented in my heart the first time I held you in the hospital.
None of us know how much time we have on this earth, so I want you to know that if I cannot watch you grow up in person, I will be watching from afar and cheering you on every step of your life. I know there is a “great big beautiful tomorrow” waiting every day for you and your sister.
I love you so very much, Lilly.
Your Grandma Pam
———
This is an example of a letter I wrote for my granddaughter, Lilly. I just spoke from the heart and talked to her as if she was reading this several years later in her life. I think it is a good idea to mention some things that are happening at the point in time when you are writing (in this case, COVID, Disney trips, songs in the car, visits).
THINGS YOU CAN DO:
-Make a list of the most important people in your life that you would like to share your heart with (write a letter!) You can also write a letter to relatives, family, and friends that have already passed on.
-What would you like to tell them if you spoke to them now? What are some of your best or most recent memories with them?
-What memories do you share together that you are most grateful for?
-Are there experiences that you wish you could change or would do differently now that you are older/wiser?
-Advice to make their life easier based on your own experience?
-List any ways in which you feel that you are similar or different
Thanks for reading! Keep smiling!
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