Dear Tyler

Soon you will become 10 years old! This seems impossible to me, and yet, I know it is true. Today is October 1st. You were born on the 9th. What a whirlwind Life has been since you were born. So many things have changed in our lives, most for the better. We waited a long time for you. For a while I was thinking that we might never get Grandchildren! I guess we were just waiting for the time to be right. I will admit that I was not ready for the next Generation for a long time. I felt that I needed some time just for me. Time to check out the world. Time to rest. Time to see what I wanted to be when I grew up. I have to admit, I still don't know. You see, the problem has been that my Lifetime goal was to become a wife and Mommy. I remember when I was little how much I liked to play with my dollies. I would pretend to be their Mommy. I loved them so much. I did not have many dolls like some girls did. I did not have many dresses like some other little girls did. I did not get to go places like some girls that I knew did either. Part of that was because I did not like to go around other people all that much. I was too scared to want to be away from my folks. I was terrorized by the thought of losing them. I am not sure why I felt that way, but thanks goodness I grew out of that feeling! But, this letter is not supposed to be about me. This letter is to be about you and your Big day that is coming up. Double digits! Wow. I wonder what new things will be coming your way? So much is out there to find and learn. You have done so much of that already. I am so very proud of you. I hope you know that you don't have to do anything for me to Love you. You are Loved just for who you are right now. You don't have to do everything just perfectly. I will always love you no matter what. You are my first born Grandson. That is enough. You have so much talent! I hope you liked the paper and pencils and eraser I bought for you in Galena. I could have gotten them somewhere else, but I wanted to have a sweet memory of our going to Galena together. Thank you so much for going with us. Thank you so much for being so good so that your Mom, Aunt Lacey and I could enjoy ourselves. I know it was not the type of thing that either you or Hunter would have chosen to do. But we adults love to go there, mostly just to enjoy looking at things that are so beautiful. I hope you have a nice Birthday Party. I forgot to ask what you will do on your real Birthday. Please have fun and eat some cake for me! I love you so much. For now, I will say goodbye. I love you. Good night sweetheart. Smooch! (I hope you will never be too old to let me hug you and kiss your cheek.) Somehow, I don't think you will ever change when it comes to hugs! Love you muchly! Grandma Kate