Dear Catherine,

The other day you called me on the phone and I couldn't believe how grown up you sounded! It doesn't seem that long ago that your mom, Jane and two-week-old you came to live with Grampa and I. We got to enjoy almost the first two years of your life, and two years of Jane's life as well. That was a very special time for Grampa and me. Do you know that Grampa used to feed you your bottle and put you to sleep while your mom was getting Jane ready for bed? Grampa loved doing that and you and Grampa have had a close relationship ever since. You were such a good baby. As long as you were rested, fed and dry your mom could put you on a blanket on the floor and you would be content for two or three hours! That was amazing. Your mom was a good baby too, but not that good!

Now you live in Idaho and we wish it wasn't so far away so we could see you more often. We sure love it when you come here to visit!

I'm sure your mom has told you about when Grampa gave you a name and a blessing in the hospital after you were born. It was an uncertain time and we weren't sure what was ahead for you, but Heavenly Father knew! Through Grampa He blessed you that you would grow up in a home with brothers and sisters. At the time I didn't see how that might happen, but look at you now! Lots of brothers and sisters! Sometimes Heavenly Father gives us hard challenges, but that is because He loves us and wants us to become strong enough and good enough to return to Him. Just like we need to exercise our muscles to stay strong physically, we need to exercise our faith in Heavenly Father and realize that challenges and problems help us to become strong spiritually. You are blessed with a cheery disposition and a keen sense of right and wrong (you got that from your mom) that will both help you through the problems in your life and also help you to avoid wrong choices that would add challenges to your life that are avoidable. Life is so good and I hope you will realize how wonderful it is to be on the earth and that you will follow Heavenly Father's commandments so that you will have a happy life and so that we can be together forever.

The day that you were sealed to your mom and dad was such a special day. I will always remember how beautiful you and Jane looked in your white dresses and how happy everyone was that you could be part of a forever family. I didn't get to be sealed to my parents until they both had died and I was a grownup, but that was a special day for me too.

I love you so much, Catherine. You are one of our beautiful granddaughters and we Grampa and I know Heavenly Father loves us because he has sent us so many wonderful grandchildren. Thank you for being one of them!

I love, love, love you.

Gramma