My dearest Katherine,
A writer, who’s more famous than you Dad, once wrote “Death comes to us all; we can only choose how to face it when it comes”. He is right, and it absolutely sucks.
You see, it’s my job to protect you and I can’t help but think that I’ve failed a bit when it comes to this life event. I know how close you were to your grandmother, she was an amazing person who loved you very, very much. That’s why these feelings hurt more than you can understand. We are all struggling to understand.
I know that I’ve told you about my grandmother (the one we named you after) and how empty and hollow I felt when she was gone. I was younger than you, close to Maddies age when it happened and it hurt real bad. I held on to the last thing she gave me, a stuffed dog that I named “holiday” because she bought one for me, and your Aunt Julie in December.
I’ve never forgotten my grandmother and the love she had for me and you will never forget either. Only the passage of time has helped heal that sore spot in my heart, and in time that sore sopt in your heart will heal and you will eventually feel a bit better. It never fully heals, but that is…humanity.
You are an amazing, smart, kind, and thoughtful young lady who is going to do great things. You make us all laugh with your impersonations of your teachers and you have the gift of comedic timing that is amazing. You are in many ways just like your grandmother, and I know she was very proud of you now and of the woman that you will become.
We all face this situation, it is inevitable, but it’s how we choose to face it that shows the true test of our character, our upbringing, and our love for one another.
Thank you for being strong for your little sister. I see how you help out and it makes your Mom and I very happy. We know that you’re still hurting, and we’ll all get through this. I promise.
I love you to the stars and back!
Dad
