Dear Granddad:

I know you probably already know this, but I miss you. A lot. I miss you calling me Charlie Brown. I miss hearing you say, "You stepped in what?" when you didn't hear something. I miss your hugs.

One year ago today, we lost you. It doesn't feel like it's been a whole year. It feels like just a few months have passed. I think about you every day; random memories pop into my head. Many times, it's often to just send an "I love you" up to Heaven.

Your family and friends surrounded you while you were in the hospital. Everyone knew it was bad this time around. But we couldn't not be there for you. No matter how hard it was to see you in that hospital bed.

We knew when it happened, when you went to God. We, your beloved wife, kids and grandkids, were right there. The seven of us gave you one last kiss, hugged each other and cried until we had nothing left to cry out. No matter how much we knew we would miss you, we were happy to know that you would no longer be in any kind of pain. Not even those phantom pains that had plagued you since your leg was amputated from that plan crash on June 10, 1949.

We never know what God has in store for us. He still wanted you to live a full and happy life after that plane crash. Believe me, it wasn't lost on any of us that you lasted until the eve of the anniversary of that crash. You made it 62 years past the day that you were pronounced dead three times. You were just a wee bit stubborn, weren't you?  :o)  I definitely know where I get it from.

And not that I've been to a lot of funerals, but man, you had a lot of people show up to pay their respects for you. When I finally turned around, I couldn't believe my eyes. I hope you know just how loved and respected you were, and not just by your family. You touched a lot of people in your life, I hope you know that.

All of our first holidays without you this year were tough. But we knew you were looking down on us, smiling. And just so you know, we spoiled Granny rotten at Christmas.

I just wanted to let you know, I love you and miss you more than words can say. I admired you probably more than you ever knew, and still do. I will continue to think about you every day, sending my love up to Heaven.

Love, Hugs, and Kisses,

Charlie Brown