Dear Guillianna and Elijah,
Well we are almost at the end of another week and today is the anniversary of your leaving the Mitten ? a whole year ago . While the circumstances of these last few months have left us heart broken and more than worried, we are hopeful that you will both be okay. That history of our own children’s trauma of being displaced and the lack of control over their lives, is not repeated and that you both will rise and soar above this painful time and loss and live fully in the love of your mom and dad who also will always love you and who also want a life for you that is full of great things and above all happiness! They simply have a different view point or value on family than what you’ve been accoustomed to in the past nine years.
It is a great new adventure for you both and a new chapter in your lives. I wish it was completed with the family and friends of the past nine years! That would have made for perfection in your lives. The love and support of so many who have loved and supported you both always – is surely missed by you as children , in your immediate futures but one day these letters will hopefully fill a little the missing pieces of your hearts of beautifully intelligent young adults who will remember the truth and the real life you shared in the Mitten .
Until that day arrives we hope you will play games, do all the fun things you used to do with us and so much more. From activities at school like trunk or treat, play dates with friends, Christmas traditions, cheer, dance, karate, baseball, soccer, and new things like Elijah running with daddy since he loved running , or other school sports and clubs like drama and theatre. I know you will hopefully get to know more about family on daddy’s side ! Your other grandparents and cousins – and hopefully love every second of visits and fun with them all . You’re both so fond of babies and little ones , and have always loved spending time with them , so it’s our hope that you’ll get some time to share with others to help so that you miss us and your lives in the Mitten just a bit less !
Today we will be visited by Aunt Kiki , Uncle Ricky with Janai and Anthony who will be in town for cousin Bash’s birthday party. It is nice that they have been to town so many times in the past year and travel the distance to let us see them and I know for certain they would have been and would be happy to bring you both to visit any time.
Once around the time Coles birthday they came to town and would have gladly wanted to bring you for a visit . They know your love for the Mitten and everyone here! They too, cannot ever stay too long because of school and Army/work commitments too – but they make huge efforts to do so anyway ! And I know how much they wish they could bring you along to see you smile too! That way no one would be sad and everyone could get some Nana Poppy time and live happily in their new life! One day maybe this will be possible or mom’s schedule will allow for her to bring you here and let you see all your friends and family !
We too would travel to you, as we always did – and we have told your mom and dad – any time. We await them to tell us when you’re schedule will allow for it, which is what they had said at one point. Now it seems that they say it is you don’t want to see or speak us , and maybe that is because if you show love, or miss us you’ll risk feeling you are disappointing them or somehow worrying that it would upset them … therefore, we write. Not wanting you ever to worry or fear disappointing us and letting you know that we hold on to the many gifts you left behind, the notes, the brief case love letters and the memories.
Yes – we will wait until your family is ready for visits, or until you’re old enough to make the trip for a visit as an adult. Regardless of how long it takes – we will continue to love you and wish you so much happiness… no matter the distance, no matter how long it takes to find our letters of love, we wish you infinite possibilities and dreams that one day become realities ! It is likely that the Army could move your mom so may different places through out the world, simply know our love will follow you – because just like us “living in your hearts” , our hearts will always hold your love inside of ours too!
We have more pics of years gone by for you to see and we hope you will always notice the smiles and sincere happiness in these photos . We love you both , as regardless of anything you ever grow to think or do, regardless of anything that ever happened that pure kind of love we shared stays. It doesn’t ever leave not even when we are old , if we traveled, if we grow so old our minds are not the same , if we were ever to grow sick , and if we were ever to pass away, we will ALWAYS love you and wish you freedom, love, education, good health and kindness – to the moon and back- forever and for always – WE LOVE YOU!
❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?