Dear Grandpa,

I wish you had been there when I got married to Helga. You remember her, don't you? You always called her the "one with the eyebrow".

She's kind of like you, you know. She knows me better than I know myself sometimes. She teases me relentlessly and is always playing practical jokes on me. But when I'm really upset, she knows exactly what to say to make me feel like things aren't so bad after all. I feel like I can lean on her, like a comfortable pillow to rest your head on when life throws a lemon your way and you just don't feel like getting up to face the world. But as long as she's by my side I feel like I can face most anything. When I'm with her, I'm a better person.

She loves me unconditionally, the way you always did. When she cooks pancakes in the morning she always gives me the better one and saves the uglier pancake for herself. It's such a small gesture but it sort of reminded me of you Grandpa. You always strived to give me the world on a string, even though we didn't have much. Like that one Christmas when I was 5 years old. I remember I came home crying because the other kids had expensive toys and I knew we couldn't afford any. But you saved up all your money just to buy me a new baseball bat. You think I didn't notice Grandpa, but I saw that you always wore socks with holes in them for a month after that.

Grandpa, she saves me even when I don't even know I need saving. When she smiles, I swear the world gets a little bit brighter. When she laughs, my heart fills with warmth. Her hugs are so loving, it makes me feel safe. It makes me feel like I'm whole. It's almost like you taught her how to love me Grandpa, the way she fulfills my every need without even being told what to say or do.

I really wish you could have gotten to know her Grandpa. She reads a lot of books and is an amazing writer. I just know you two could've had endless conversations. But up there in heaven, I can almost hear you say "She's the one Shortman don't ever let her go". And I won't, because she's as necessary to me as breathing.

She's pretty great huh?

I'm happy Grandpa, I really and truly am. But Grandpa, I'm scared too. I'm afraid I'm going to lose her, just like I lost you.

I miss you everyday Grandpa. But I know you're in a better place now and you're always watching over me. You're not here anymore but you're always in my heart.

Take care Grandpa. I'll write again soon.

I love you. Always.

Arnold.