The holidays are traditionally a time to spend with the people you love, whether that means family or a form of chosen family. But that often makes the first Christmas after you lose someone close to you especially difficult to get through, no matter how many other loved ones you’re still surrounded by. One family knew that their grandma was struggling with her first Christmas without her husband, so they knew they wanted to do something special to keep his memory alive this season.
“My grandpa passed 7 months ago so this is my grandma’s 1st Xmas w/o him in 59 years,” @ForeverLAS_ tweeted.
Fortunately, the family had stumbled across a whole bunch of letters that grandma and grandpa had written to each other when they were in college, dating all the way back to 1962. They gathered them up, had a silver box engraved for the occasion, and turned the camera on grandma when the time came for her to open the special gift.
My grandpa passed 7 months ago so this is my grandma’s 1st Xmas w/o him in 59 years. For Christmas we decided to gift her w/ letters we found her & my grandpa wrote to each other in 1962 while they were in college. He kept them all these years ❤️ pic.twitter.com/raRvAWxqW5
— L 👅 (@ForeverLAS_) December 25, 2019
Grandma already seems moved enough with only the box in hand, but when she realizes just what’s inside, she can’t hold back her tears.
“I was going through Dad’s things and I found them,” her son tells her. “He kept those.”
It’s enough to grow any Grinch’s heart three sizes this Christmas, and people watching the video on Twitter agreed.
Love to your grandma and your whole family. I ache with her watching this. Her love for him is so big. There is something about the handwriting of someone you’ve lost that makes you feel like they are right there with you. ❤️❤️❤️ What a gift you all gave her.
— Dr. Danna Young🇺🇸✌🏻 (@dannagal) December 26, 2019
Omg! I Immediately teared up when she out her hand over her mouth. I can only hope & pray to have a long loving marriage like that WITH LOVE LETTERS!! I know she misses her soul mate dearly. This was the best gift! Thanks for sharing this moment!
— TheReal Deal (@TheRealDeal001) December 26, 2019
Seriously, it’s impossible to watch this and not cry.
I still end up crying 12 more times but follow me on here & happy holidays to you all! 💪🏽💙💯
— Majestic 👑 (@MajesticKingV) December 27, 2019
I don’t have time for these tears and this knot in my throat 😢
— ✨Queen of Zamunda✨👑 (@JoyyUnSpeakable) December 25, 2019
— Liza, not Lisa (@liza_not_lisa) December 26, 2019
It was definitely a gift grandma will always cherish.
OMG! You’re the best grandkids ever.
Excuse me I’m going to ugly cry now…
— Pontifex Solstii 🏳️🌈🌳 (@revndm) December 26, 2019
This is when hand written letters really become more precious than modern tweeting. Something special about taking the time to physically write to someone that means so much to ya. Beautiful touching gesture those men did for their grandma
— Roger James (@rjames1974) December 26, 2019
It also inspired other people to share their own stories about lost loved ones.
This is extremely special! My parents got 2 know each other through letters they wrote back & forth while my Dad was n Vietnam n 1964-65. They have every1 of them. My Dad died 4 yrs ago. My sister & I vowed not to read them until Mom joins him. It will b a special day! #Treasures
— Chrissy Quick (@ChrissyQ1915) December 26, 2019
My one and only tattoo is my mother's handwriting I took from a card she sent to me. I'm going to start writing my kids more notes by hand, I think. pic.twitter.com/D4vt1PjlBV
— (((SusanS))) (@Schaibly) December 25, 2019
My Mother passed last Wednesday in a fatal car accident. I feel this so much. I’m sorry for your family loss. How special it was to make this. xo there are never enough words.
— Toddler Wrangler (@LoveLaughsHope) December 26, 2019
As a widow, I can honestly say it is heart-stopping – almost jarring – to see my late husband’s handwriting, especially if I’m not expecting it. This gift is touching beyond words. So glad to see her surrounded by loving family.
— Lorraine Hickman (@shortyblueyes5) December 26, 2019
The granddaughter who originally shared the video followed up to thank everybody who has been wishing her grandmother well after sharing this special moment with them.
I just wanna say thank you to everyone who has been wishing my grandmother well & sharing kind words. She is doing great & has been saying over & over again that it’s the best gift she could’ve asked for 💖
— L 👅 (@ForeverLAS_) December 27, 2019
“She is doing great & has been saying over & over again that it’s the best gift she could’ve asked for,” she wrote.
It’s not going to be the same when we print out our old emails, is it?
