A short epistolary story by Kendall Sheehan.
Dear Marie,
Granddaughter, high school goes fast is what they always told me. But what they didn’t tell me is how fast it turns into college. And college turns into marriage. And marriage turns into children. And what they didn’t tell me was how fast those children grow.
Jumping years like skipping rope.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around,” and she’s 6.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground,” and she’s 12.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, show your shoe,” and she’s 18.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, that will do!” And she’s 24.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, go upstairs,” and she’s 30.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say your prayers,” and she’s 36.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn out the light,” and she’s 42.
“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say goodnight!” And she’s 48.
And as those children grow, so do you. Your back becomes a little less straight. Your hair turns a little more grey. Your face becomes a little more wrinkled. And your mind grows a little more blank. Your body becomes rocked by the pains that come with growing old.
They don’t tell you that life circles back to the beginning. You become more and more dependent on others and less reliant on yourself. You can’t control your legs and need a walker to hold you up. But it’s so much worse because you take the simplicities of life for granted. And what is granted can always be taken away.
They tell you so much, but there is so much they do not tell you.
They don’t tell you to cherish the embrace of your grandchildren. They don’t tell you how beautiful the sound of the rain is. They don’t tell you how the sound of your dog barking will make you smile.
But they don’t need to tell you because, as your life eases closer and closer to the end, you know.
You know that each breath was a gift. Each sunrise was a blessing. And every moment on this earth was a gift from God.
Dear Marie, I tell you these things because it’s my plea to you as a Grandfather, never take anything for granted. The world will tell you so many things about who to be and how to act. They will tell you countless things and thrust upon you un-asked for advice, and they won’t tell you so many things.
But Marie, every moment in life is a gift from God.
I know last time you saw my wasted body it brought you to tears. But Marie, I don’t fear death. The end does not define what the beginning brought about. And so, even while I lie in this hospital bed, I see God’s grace and love in everything.
I see it in you. I see it in the flowers brought by loved ones. I see it in your tears.
So, Marie, as I finish up this letter I pray that you honor me by always being grateful. Granddaughter, high school goes fast and so does college. So does marriage, and so does raising children. Life goes fast, but that does not make any moment any less important.
I love you more than you can know.
Love your Papa,
April 16th 2026
Photo Credits: Mladen Zivkovic via iStock
