Fifteen Years In Heaven

Dear Grandpa Watkins.

Fifteen years ago today you left this world to be with God. I was ten years old at the time of your passing. Fifteen years is a long time to be without you, Grandpa. I don’t think I was ever able to tell you how much I loved you and still do. But I know you are looking down and watching us. Probably saving us more than once too. You, Grandpa Robert and Papa. I miss you and love you all and always will.

I remember when I went home to visit Newfoundland I instantly fell in love with my Father’s hometown and I didn’t want to leave. There is so much beauty there, so much to explore but so little time to do so.

It felt different not having you there even though it was my first visit to Newfoundland. You came to visit me in a dream and in this dream I heard a noise in the closet in the room I was staying in and I saw you but you didn’t look like a ghost I couldn’t see through you, you looked alive. I told Nanny when I left the room that I had seen you but she didn’t believe me. You seemed upset with me but I didn’t know why. But the thing is I remember this exact dream from when I was a child. But I dreamed this dream years ago as a child but I remembered it and was surprised by it. Was this Grandpa’s way of telling me he was still here with us? Watching over us? Knows I can be mean, rude and sometimes bad? This dream took place on Sept 2, 2018.

I still think of you every now and then. I wish you didn’t have to leave us so that I could spend more time with you, hang out with you and hug you a little longer. Every time I see a grandchild with a grandparent, I always think of you, Grandpa Robert and Papa. Wishing I could hug you all, tell you how much I love you, smile at you every time you did something silly. I sometimes get sad when I think of all the memories I have of you; pictures help me a lot too. But the one memory I do remember was sitting beside you during a Christmas Holiday just admiring you, adoring you. Wishing you and Nanny came to see us every year. But I knew in my heart it was impossible because of how far you both lived. Newfoundland may not be where I was born but Newfoundland is my Home too.

I hope one day we meet again. Hugs will be given and this time I won’t let go. I love you, Grandpa. Always! I miss you very much.

Love your Granddaughter: Lynn.

From left to right - Me in the pink dress, Laura looking at Grandpa, Kim in the back looking at the camera. And Grandpa looking at me. Photo from Nanny in Newfoundland. If I didn't go to Newfoundland in 2018 like I promised Nanny I wouldn't have this photo today. I treasure the photos that I do have from Newfoundland of Grandpa and Nanny when we were kids. I miss those days.