Dear Gran,

Thank you very much for all the card-making stuff you gave me. I used it to make a cardboard ornament for my friend Stephanie the other day, for a Christmas tree in memory of her husband who recently died, and I thought of you so much while I was doing it. Jo and I split up the rest of your card-making supplies between us after you died. I'm sure you would have wanted it that way. Thank you for sharing your hobbies with me, and for all the pretty cards you sent me. I think some part of me doesn't really believe you're gone, as I still somehow expect to find a birthday card or Christmas card from you in my mailbox each year. I'm really grateful that you valued communicating so much, especially writing. Perhaps I got my love of writing from you. It's too bad I didn't use it to write you more letters while you were alive. I'm really sorry about that.

Another thing I loved about you is the way that you always treated people well, even the ones (like Mother) whom you didn't like. You were always doing something nice for someone, and helping people. I still remember what you wrote in my autograph book years and years ago - that you hoped I would be kind and loving to everyone I meet. I think you knew what I have only just really begun to understand - that the most important and worthwhile thing we can do in life is try to make other people's lives better. I am trying to do that now, instead of always worrying about what other people think of me. I want to be just like you, Gran. I miss you so much.

With love,
Your No.1 Granddaughter
Julia