And when I heard you agree with Mimi in the urgent care center waiting room that the two of you were having the time of your lives with Brandon and me, I thought my heart might explode with a feeling I don’t think I’ve ever had before.

Then Mom told me what you said to the doctor about it all being worth it, even with your two horrible health scares, and my exploding heart melted like a fireworks finale against a nighttime summer sky. And I knew right then, that even if I’m lucky enough to live to be as old as you, it will be hard for me to have a week as memorable and meaningful as this one.

So, thank you, Gram, for giving me a week’s worth of memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Love,

Sam

Dear Mom,

You weren’t on the weeklong karaoke Bible-delivery widow’s bucket list road trip, but you’re the reason I was.

I’m not only thankful to have had a week chock-full of cherish-worthy memories, but I’m thankful that your Dear Me Journal was there to see me through the toughest times of this trip.

Besides that, now that my Dear Me letters are written, I’ll get to enjoy this whole trip again and again and again, whenever I want. And I’ll get to do that all because of you!

You said that you regret having missed making some of your own memories in exchange for creating projects for other people to preserve theirs. But I’m thankful you’re the kind of person who thinks so much of making memories, because now I’m that kind of person too.

I’m glad you figured out you want to spend more time making some of your own memories with me, because I’m looking forward to having fun making them with you.

Love,

Sam

Dear Me,

The next day at the fair, Gram and Mimi sat in the shade in the picnic area with plenty of food spread out on Mimi’s tablecloth. They were going to enjoy more of their fairground favorites while Brandon and I hit the rides.

As soon as Brandon and I filled ourselves with all the carnival thrills we could handle, the four of us planned to head to the airport, pick up Mom, and then work our way back to Sunny Sandy Shores.

Lying next to the funnel cakes, cotton candy, and caramel apples on the picnic table were two Borlandsville Fun in the Sun County Fair prize ribbons.

One for an honorable mention in the Kooky Karaoke Contest.

And one for third place in the Baking Competition.

My cookies had actually earned a ribbon, and not just an obligatory participation one!