Dear Ashlin,

Last Sunday as you were leaving the chapel to go to Primary, I stopped you and told you I was getting a new clock and wondered if you might like to have the bird clock the new clock will replace. Your eyes lit up and assured me you would love to have it. When Grampa finished painting the living room, the bird clock looked out of place. When I asked Grampa if we could get a new one he wanted to know what I would do with the bird clock. Giving it to you was the first answer that popped into my head! You have been the grandchild most interested in my birds and bird feeders. Often when you come over, you like to look through my bird book as well. The next day you came over right after school and collected your treasure, but not until you had oohed and aahed over our new clock. I love that you did that!

I love it when you come to visit me. Someday you might not come so often and that will be OK too; I will understand. When I was a teenager, we lived across the street from my "step" grandparents. We lived at 1125 Ivy Lane here in Ashland. Maybe someday your dad or mom can drive you by that house if you are interested. I don't remember the number of my grandparents' home, but it was across the street and to the left, on the corner of Ivy Lane and Elkader Street. They had moved here from Chicago, Illinois and it was fun to get together with them on holidays and have them near. I went to see them on my own sometimes, but I was a teenager with friends and what I thought was a busy life, so I didn't go very often. Later they moved to Portland, Oregon. We were told it was because they missed living in a big city and I'm sure that was part of it, but I also wonder if it was because their teenage grandchildren didn't pay them much attention. Now I wish I had spent more time with them. Even if the day comes that you don't come over often, I will still love it when you do and understand when you don't.

I love you, Ashlin, I love your enthusiasm for life and your unique approach to solving problems and looking at life. You are very intelligent and have a fun sense of humor! Don't ever lose those good qualities about yourself. That would be a sad day for me!

Love,

Gramma

P.S. You're not driving your mom and Emma crazy with the bird chirps that go off when the clock hits the hour, are you? Nah, I didn't think so.