A Strong and Kind Person

Dear Missy:

I am writing this letter to you because you are not only one of the strongest women I know but you are also one of the kindest. You are such a good person I think you could be a saint one day. We have been friends since the day you were born. I am five years older than you but the age difference never mattered, we always had the best times together and when I need your help, you are always there. But you are always there for everyone who needs your help. You are not only a wonderful cousin and friend but you are an exceptional wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, and teacher. One reason we have such a great bond is that our grandmothers were sisters and best friends and we both took care of our grandmothers when they got older. We have always had much in common.

First, I want to tell you what a wonderful job you did taking care of your grandmother. You worked and lived about an hour away from where your grandparents lived but you always made sure to come home every weekend to visit (even during Pennsylvania snowstorms) to help your grandparents. When your grandfather passed away things were difficult because your grandmother did not want to leave her home but she could not live alone due to her health. Your whole family helped out by taking care of her during the week and you took care of her every weekend. You would travel great distances to get her anything she wanted, especially food! You always made sure to either warm the car up or cool the car down before taking your grandmother anywhere. You also fought so hard to make sure she got the best health care possible. You even postponed getting married until you were older so that you could care for your grandmother. When you did get married, you made certain your grandmother was at the church even though her health was not good. When both your grandparents died you gave the most heartfelt eulogies I think I have ever heard. Today you take care of their graves with such love. You never miss a holiday with flowers or decorations and you also walk through the cemetery and put flowers on practically every grave that doesn't have a decoration regardless of whether you knew the person or not. You always say to me "I learned that from my pap!".

Second, you are an exceptional mother. You do everything to make sure your children have all the love any two girls could ever need or want. I know Julia has some health problems but you do anything and everything to make her feel better. You travel great distances to take her to the best doctors and you stay up all night comforting her when she is not feeling well. Every holiday is a wonderful experience for Gracie and Julia. You go all out to give them the best life ever. They are so lucky to have you for a mother.

Third, you are the best teacher and your students and school district really hit the jackpot when they got you. I know how much they appreciate you because you have been named “Teacher of the Year”. You stay late at school almost every night, sometimes until after 9 p.m.! When you take your students on field trips you use your own money to buy souvenirs for those students who cannot afford them. I know how much you love your students. You have so much patience with those who have learning or other disabilities and you never give up on them. When you have parent/teacher conferences you persistently call those parents who do not show up for the meetings. You just never give up trying to help people and you are always upbeat and happy.

Finally, I want to thank you for always caring about me. I know you are very busy with your own family and your job and I appreciate that you still think about me. Not a Sunday goes by that you don’t call and check in on me. If I have a problem, you listen and you are so understanding. I will never forget how you helped me when I lost my dog, who was my special buddy. I was so depressed I could barely get out of bed. My family insisted that I did not need another dog. But you stood up for me and you drove me two hours away to pick up a new puppy. You would not accept any money for gas and you insisted we take my new puppy on his first trip to Petco! I am so thankful that you are not only my cousin but you are my best friend. I always say if I get so sick that I cannot care for myself I wish I could have you as my caretaker. Missy...you are simply the best! You are a strong, wonderful, caring person and you bring joy and happiness to everyone you meet.

Love always,

Margie