Tessie.CanyourememberhowwebothhuggedeachothertightlywhenwesawourtinygranddaughterforthefirsttimeIcan“tbelieveshewillbeeightnextmonth.Iamtryingnottocry,mylove,asItellyouhowbeautifulshelookstodayinherprettydressandredshinyshoes,sheremindsmesomuchofyouthatfirstdaywemet.Shehasherhaircutshortnow,justlikeyourswasallthoseyearsago.WhenImetheratthedoorhersmilewrappedaroundmelikeawarmglove,justlikeyoursusedtodo,mydarling.
Iknowyouaretired,mydear,andImustletyougo.ButIloveyousomuchithurtstodoso.
Aswegrewoldtogether,Iwouldteaseyouthatyouhadnotchangedsincewefirstmet.Butitistrue,mydarling.Idonotseethewrinklesandgreyhairthatotherpeoplesee.WhenIlookatyounow,Ionlyseeyoursweettenderlipsandyouthfulsparklingeyesaswesatandhadoutfirstpicnicnexttothatsmallstream,andchasedeachotheraroundthatbigoldoaktree.Irememberwishingthosefirstfewdaystogetherwouldlastforever.Doyourememberhowexcitingandwonderfulthosedayswere
Imustgonow,mydarling.Ourchildrenarewaitingoutside.Theywanttosaygoodb