TO: Grandma

Dear Grandma Savage,
           One of the greatest regrets of my life may be having never sent you this letter. A thousand times I have written in it in my head and meant to get it out on paper. And now I have procrastinated until it is too late.
           I wanted to tell you what an example you have been. I wanted to call your attention to your ever-growing posterity. To show you what a vast impact you have had on so many lives. I wanted to tell you how much I loved to see your ever smiling face, to hear your voice singing " 'Neath the crust of the old apple pie....".
            You and grandpa have received through your faithfulness, the promise given of the Lord to Abraham; that your seed shall not be numbered. I wonder if it ever crossed your mind as you raised my father, and my uncles and aunts, that one day your diligence in teaching them the gospel would save so many generations. The strength of the family you raised was like granite, as your children have grown and had families of their own, have taught them the gospel and are now watching their own children, your grandchildren, do the same with their babies. All the while, you continued as an unfailing witness of Christ to all around you.
             I will always remember the numerous occasions when we would come to visit, and you would share with us something you had read from the teachings of the prophets, or in the scriptures, or something that you had thought of. Truly I have long looked upon my grandparents as the spiritual foundation of the family.
            Your laugh is deeper than a sound to your grandchildren. It is happiness, it is Christmas, it is love. Memories of you are of games, good food, jokes, family stories, and big hugs. It just wasn't a family activity if Grandma wasn't there.
           Your love was well known to your grandchildren. One of my favorite things you did was to write me a letter. I was leaving on my mission in a few months, and seemingly out of the blue came a letter from grandma in the mail. Unfortunately I lost that letter on the flight to England, and I couldn't tell you anything it said. However, I will always know what it was about. It was about faith, encouragement, recognition, and the tender love of a grandma for a grandson as he was about to leave home and family. Thank you.
           I love you with all of my heart, and I already cannot wait to see you again, and get a big grandma hug.

Your Grandson,
               Richard

p.s. i'll make sure my mother accidentally rolls the car window up on Zoe's fingers for you, sings the underwear song, and teaches her to play rook