The week I left for college, I was a nervous wreck.  I grew up in a very small town, I had never been away from home for more than a week, and I was afraid to be in this big, new place where I didn't know anyone.  Shortly after I moved in to the dorm, I received the first letter from my grandpa.  He sent another note the following week.  In each letter he gave a little advice and some words of encouragement.  The first letter said,

     "Just a note to let you know we miss you already.  Yesterday was very difficult for me.  I didn't want you to grow up so fast.

     How are you getting along?  Try to initiate new friendships.  Try to make a new friend every day.  Make good decisions and you will be just fine.

     You are pretty and you are smart - I love you with all my heart."

     In the second letter he gave more advice -

     "Work hard - have fun - make good decisions.  Good things happen when you make good decisions."

     He signed the second letter with the same words as the first, "You are pretty and you are smart - I love you with all my heart."

     That was almost eleven years ago and I still have those letters; I keep them in my jewelry box and look at them still from time to time.    They were each just short notes of encouragement - but they absolutely meant the world to me.  Thank you, Grandpa!