Dear Paw,

I want to tell you about our Christmas Eve last year. When we all came to your house for our annual gift exchange, we all took turns opening presents and eating a yummy dinner. We had pulled pork, shrimp, cheese balls, chips and pretty cookies that all of us spent a full day baking. Only one thing is missing, You!

Mom, Dad, Kaylynn and I are on our way to your house, Christmas music is on the radio with presents for Granny and the rest of the family. We’re in moms red car with comfortable black seats. My sister is tired of listening to Christmas music because she has been hearing it for weeks while at work. We arrive at your house, and I am so excited to spend time with the family and see what kind of gifts Granny picked out for me.

We walk into your house, which still has golden yellow walls, a brown couch and two brown chairs. Homemade blankets were draped over the backs of the chairs in case someone gets chilly. Granny still keeps the two candy dishes full of our favorite candies on the end table by the garage door. “The stockings are all hung on the chimney with care,” They are filled with a bunch of fun things. The room is decorated with all kinds of pretty Christmas decorations. When the whole family is there, we all move into the living room so we can open our presents.

Gunther, Kaylynn, and I all have to wait in the kitchen until the adults are all settled and have cameras on. The kitchen is still pine green and is also decorated for Christmas. The island is all set up and ready for the food to be put out after we open our presents. We can smell the pulled pork in the crockpot, the potato chips and pickles are out and we are tempted to eat some while we wait. Our homemade cookies are on the kitchen table and they look beautiful and yummy too.

We finally get the call to come into your living room, and Granny is sitting in her favorite rocking chair; she sits there every year in her Christmas sweater. I wish you were still sitting in your chair at the head of the room. We see the huge pile of gifts under the Christmas tree that need to be passed out. Uncle Larry is his usual crazy self playing Santa while Gunther, Kaylynn and I help him. As always, once the presents are all passed out we start with the youngest to the oldest, and open our presents.

After I had opened a few presents, I got to a box with fun wrapping paper. When I opened it, I found a beautiful silver treble clef music note necklace. It means so much to me because of my love for dancing and choir, which are my two favorite things. I was so happy that Granny had put so much thought into a gift for me. I wear it every day because it reminds me of Granny and you too because you always enjoyed my dance recitals and choir concerts. Our Christmas concert this year would have made you smile, we sang a beautiful song “Carol of the Bells.” Even Aunt Susie and Uncle Larry said it was great, and you know how hard they are on me.

Thank you for being such a great Paw, I’m sorry you had to leave us to go be with Nanna. I know you are resting in peace and free from back and leg pain, but I still miss you every day.

Until I see you again,

Love Hannah