My family has a tradition of going around the table saying one thing we’re grateful for each year at Thanksgiving. This year though, things were done a little differently since one of the most influential members of our family wasn’t there – my grandpa, Ito. I got to FaceTime into this moment with my family and each person went around saying what they were grateful for about Ito. So here is my letter to Ito, saying what I’m grateful for:
Dear Ito,
What’s it like up there in heaven? I think about you a lot. I was watching the sunset the other day and when I closed my eyes I heard a bird and thought of you. I think you would’ve loved Perú, I have to ask Dad if you’ve been here before.
Thank you for your unconditional love, Ito. You made sure we all knew how much you loved us always. Thank you for always supporting my dreams even if you didn’t agree with them at first. Thank you for helping me get here, Ito. Thank you for always believing in me- from the big things like going on this mission trip and going to college far away believing I’ll make a difference to the little things like my baking skills. When I get to heaven I’m going to bake you your favorite brownies. I’m going to miss you asking me to sneak you a piece of dessert at every family party.
Ito, you were and still will always be the heart of our family. You taught us all the importance and value of family. You and Ita taught us how important it is to be there and show up for each other. You never gave up on any of us and you were always there. Thank you, Ito. Thank you for teaching me how to joyful for the little things. Your face would light up whenever you saw one of your grandkids, or when I made you brownies, or when it was sunny outside and you got to sit out and tan, or when we played left,right, center and you would smile, blow on the cup and say “dos puntitos”. I’m grateful for all the memories I have of all your corny jokes and laughter. Even when your jokes weren’t that funny you would make us all laugh by how funny you thought it was. I miss your laugh a lot.
Thank you for your amazing rice pudding. I’m so glad we’ve gotten to spend so much time together throughout my life. Thank you for your little songs and the sayings that we would say when we played in the pool when we were little like “sapito sapon ponte cazón” and “Ito, Ito, colorido, afuera, afuera”. You were such a ray of light, Ito.
Thank you for loving our family so well, for the joy and laughter you brought us, the wonderful memories, our strong family bond and for hanging in there for us for so long. Thanks for giving me your sweet tooth, Ito. I love you so so much, with all my heart, always, Ito.
Con todo mi amor,
Tu Princesita (Melissa)
