My dearest Isabelle,
As you turn eight, I want you to know how very much I love you. I love you beyond words. And that says a lot given I’m a wordsmith.
You have brought me such joy. To feel your hugs, to scamper up the stairs to your bedroom to see your latest treasures, to listen to you excitedly talk about the latest Magic Tree House (or other) book you’re reading, to watch a video of you as a roaring lion during a school play, all are cherished moments.
From the day you were born, I learned a new definition of love: granddaughter.
I love being your grandma. I love when you ask me to sit next to you at family gatherings, as you did at your recent birthday party dinner. I loved sitting next to you while playing BINGO at your brother’s preschool family BINGO night, even if you whined a bit because you weren’t winning. And you really really really wanted a prize.
I especially enjoy our time together each summer Up North at a family lake cabin. Taking nature walks. Sitting on the dock, feet dipping and kicking in the water. Eating ice cream at a shop in town. We are making memories that I hope will last you a life-time. Simple memories that center on family togetherness. On love.
In your short life, you have traveled farther than I have in my sixty-seven years. Your world is wider, bigger, broader. You live in a diverse neighborhood. Your best friends are boys. You are learning Spanish already as a second grader. I am grateful for all of these. Your world is open wide. And you embrace it.
You swim. I can’t. You roller skate. I did. You try to teach me the characters in the latest whatever interests you. I fail to remember the Paw Patrol pups and now Pokemon characters. I’m doing better at dinosaurs. But mostly it’s too much for Grandma to keep straight. Too much.
But it doesn’t matter, Izzy. What matters is that I love you and you me. You are my daughter’s daughter. Her first-born as she was mine. The April day you were born eight years ago opened my heart to a new kind of love. Deep and full and beautiful beyond words.
Happy eighth birthday, my darling Isabelle!
With love,
Grandma
Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
A wonderful gift for Izzy…memorable, lasting, full of love.
Good job Grandma!
Thank you, Valerie. 🙂
oh, my heart! this is a priceless treasure she will keep forever. you are two very lucky people to have each other.
We are blessed to have each other for sure. As a grandma, I know you can relate.
absolutely –
What a beautiful letter to Isabelle, such a loving relationship you both have! She will cherish this letter in years to come, but for now… she will cherish YOU, her special grandma ❤️
Awwww, thank you, Jackie.
A very sweet tribute for your granddaughter’s birthday. Hope Mom prints the letter out to put in her keepsake box or folder.
Thank you, Sue. Whether Amber prints this, I don’t know. Hopefully.
Oh Audrey, What a lovely letter to your granddaughter on her birthday!! I hope this is something she will cherish forever. There is just something wonderful about grandchildren; their extra loving hugs, their requests to be with us, the joy in their eyes when they see us (reflecting the utter joy in our own heart!)… Every moment we get to spend with them is the best! I love when I see other grandparents love their grandbabies as much as I love mine!
It’s all about love, isn’t it? Love love love those grandchildren!
Lovely! I don’t know if I’ll be around to be a grandfather, given Ethan’s and my age, but I know the feeling of the love that existed between my mom and Ethan….. and Nicole’s mom. The love between a father and son can be challenging once the son enters his teen years. The father, me, taking a backseat to the son’s emerging and exerting manhood. I often look back on his younger pre-teen days. Sometimes wishing they lasted a little longer.
Teen years can be challenging, Keith. But just keep loving Ethan, giving him space as he spreads his wings. Roots and wings, my friend Kathleen often reminded me. Give your kids roots and wings. I’m thankful you witnessed the love between Ethan and his grandmas. There’s something special about that bond.
These images are wonderful.
Thank you, Keith. That means a lot to me coming from you, an incredibly talented photographer. I’m respecting Izzy’s privacy as she ages, which is why there’s no current photo. She’s stretched and grown and, oh, is growing up way too quickly.
I was thinking of my son today, when he was a child and into magic. He put on a small show for us. I snapped just one picture. I always loved the look on his face. So joyful.
Keith, I’m thankful you captured that moment of joy in a single photo. What a treasure of love.
Izzy will like this now, but I can see in the future it will be a cherished blessing in her memories.
I hope so, Marilyn.
so sweet just like your Izzy!
She is pretty sweet.
❤️
So sweet! Thank you for sharing this with us.
You are welcome, Gretchen.