For Andrew

Andrew,
Your mom told me while we were chatting that you missed me. It was nice to know that you enjoyed the time you were here. It made me feel good to know that. So I thought it might be nice for you to know that I miss you, too. I miss running with you (OK, after the first couple of days I was running behind you, but I still miss it). I wish we had done more road races. Next time you're home I'm going to have them all scheduled ahead of time so we don't miss any. I miss playing cards with you. I especially miss the look on your face when you realize that you still have your foot from several rounds back. I miss how you're able to laugh at yourself when you do something funny and how you don't mind other people laughing with you. It's like you enjoy making them happy. I miss having you come out to the car when I get home from work to ask if I need any help. Every time I carry groceries in I always think, If Andrew were here he'd be helping me do this. You're such a thoughtful young man. I can tell that you consider other people's feelings and that it's important to you that the people you care about are taken care of. Your brothers and sisters are so lucky to have someone like you in their family. And Michael is lucky to have you for his cousin. I'm glad he got to know you when he was very young, because when you're older he's really going to look up to you and be able to learn a lot from you. I bet it feels like you're missing out on so much back here at home while you're in Africa. I feel like I miss out on a lot not being there with you, but then I remember that you are still the same person. You'll change and grow and learn a lot of stuff that I don't know anything about, but the important things don't change. God put us in the same family and that doesn't change no matter what.
Love,
Aunt Jamie