Dear Bestefar and Bestemor,
It feels a little strange to be writing this, but I suppose I just wanted to tell you both how much you still mean to me.
Bestefar, I don’t remember you as well as I wish I could, but I do remember the sound of your violin filling the room. You always knew how to make me laugh. I still feel that joy in my heart when I think about those silly, squeaky tunes you’d invent just for me. I’d laugh so hard my stomach would ache, and I know you loved every second of it. You had this gift for turning music into laughter, and though I only had you for such a short time, those moments of laughter and love have stayed with me. Thank you for that.
Bestemor, I miss you terribly. There was so much love and life in everything you did. I remember the way you’d pour a little coffee onto a plate so Bestefar could drink it without burning his mouth, and how I’d bring it over to him, probably spilling a few drops every time. You knew how to make a house feel like a home, every corner spotless, as if you were waiting for royalty to visit. And maybe you were—because you treated everyone in your life like they were something special.
You and I had our traditions too, didn’t we? Our little trips to the shopping center to pick out something nice, and the fashion shows we’d have after. I can still see us at the piano, with my little play cart full of plastic groceries, playing our own version of a grocery store, or pulling out the cards for another round of Svarteper. I’m pretty sure you let me win, but you did it because you knew how much it meant to me. You even learned English just so we could talk more easily—I wish I could tell you now just how much that meant.
Looking back, I realize all the little ways you both showed your love. We take so many people for granted, and we never really imagine our grandparents won’t be there one day. I thought I had more time with you both. And I know you’d want me to remember that all we ever truly have is the here and now. I’ll carry that lesson with me, and I’ll try to share it with the people I love.
Thank you, Bestefar and Bestemor, for filling my life with so much joy, laughter, and love. I feel so lucky to have known you both. I hope you know just how deeply you’re missed.
With all my love,
Your little shopper, card player, and fashion model, V
