Unspoken

letter 09

09 / letter to someone you wish you could have met

Hey Gramps,

Can I call you that? I don’t know if it’s awkward considering I’ve never met you. But I’ve heard enough about you to last a lifetime.

You sound like an amazing person Grandpa Grey. I’ve seen pictures of you only. Sometimes I’ll sneak into the attic and I’ll sit beside that big window that overlooks the backyard and I’ll grab that big box that’s full of old dusty memories, most of them are pictures. Pictures of you. Some are when you were in high school and had the silliest haircut ever (sorry gramps, but mullets are silly.) and some of them are of your wedding day, those are my favorite. You have the biggest smile on your face and this twinkle in your eyes when you look at Grandma Mary. I always admire you because you found true love with her. Anybody within a mile of you guys could see it. I wasn’t even there but I can feel it through the pictures. Weird, right? You were such a handsome lad Gramps. I wish I could have met you. Sadly, you died 2 months before I was born. Cancer is a bitch, huh?

It’s sad because all our relatives always tell me I have your same big green eyes and even the way I do things or act is so alike to you. They compare us a lot. And I wish I knew you personally. They always talk about you. It’s like you made the biggest impact on their lives without even trying. You were a great person according to them. You were kind-hearted and helpful. Your number one rule in life was to always give back. If you had enough to share, you did. You have many awards. Small ones for little projects you did to give back to the community. Whenever I say I’m your granddaughter people will smile and laugh and talk about how great you were. Sometimes I get upset because I never met you. According to the people that knew you, you were clever and smart, you made your own business out of nothing at only the age of 19, you were just so smart, and everybody always came to you for advice. You were so hardworking that by the age of 26, you were practically filthy rich. You knew 6 languages. That’s insane! I’m struggling in Spanish II to be honest Gramps. You knew English, Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin and Portuguese.

You were just pretty amazing if you ask me. I’m always told about how much you would have loved me if you met me. They say I would have been your perfect granddaughter. I really wonder if you truly would have loved me. I mean, I’m not the best person ever. I’m grumpy and moody. I’m insecure at times and pessimistic. I’m obnoxious and rude, but I really try my best to be somebody you would be proud of. I look up to you Gramps, even if I’ve never met you.

I read the letter by the way, the letter you wrote when you found out Mom was pregnant with a girl. You wrote it while you were in the hospital, I keep that letter under my pillow. It’s so valuable to me. It keeps me going. Even if you didn’t know me, you already had high expectations for me, you were already proud of me, you already thought I would accomplish great things, it’s like you knew me without meeting me and sometimes I feel the same way. Thanks for loving me eventhough you never technically met me. Thanks for naming me also, I know you really loved the name Olivia. I wish I would have met you. But in a way, I know you’re always with me. I hope you know I love you. I really do.

Love,

Your granddaughter,

Olivia

xoxo

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