Kevin Ross
To my wonderful Mamaw,
Not a day goes by where I think about you. You were the best grandmother ever, and I can't ever thank you enough for being part of my life. I have so many wonderful memories of you and it would be a massive book if I were to type it all, so I will just list one for now.
One of my favorite memories of you is when Papaw, you, me, and Shaggy went to West Virginia and Pennsylvania to go camping during the hot, humid summers. We would go to the mountains, where it would be cooler during those days and mostly always, a constant breeze. My favorite campground we went to was Knoebels, where I had met many friends and played hide and seek with them. I hid underneath y'alls camper dressed up in camo, and they never found me until I gave up hiding many hours later. Those were amazing times, and I won't ever forget them and won't ever forget you either.
My one regret to you is not coming out as gay. I was scared, I didn't know how you would react because some Christians are not ok with that. I want to pursue religion Mamaw, but these churches can truly be hurtful. But I should have known that you would have loved me regardless of who I wanted to be, or who I was for that matter. I did tell Aunt Rena, and she reassured me that you would have loved me regardless.
Man, oh man, do I really wish dementia didn't hit so hard with you. There were so many things I could have told you, but you lost who you were and we were all scared for you and where this would take our family.
Remember how you said you wanted me to go to college a lot? Well, I took a tour of a four year school and loved it so much that I applied. And what do you know? I get in! It's actually a school in West Virginia called Marshall University! I'm now towards the end of my first semester, but I couldn't be more thankful that I am here. Due to the amount of contacts I have made within the school, I have high hopes and confidence that I can make a living out here in West Virginia because as you know, I have always wanted to live out here since we sold the farm.
Rest easy Mamaw, you will never be forgotten. Your spirit lives on always, because I know you are watching me right now as I'm typing this. I can't wait one day to tell all my children about you, they will all love you in the same way I did to you. Not to mention, will cook up some of my favorite dishes you made me. One being Chicken 'N Dumplin's for your Little Dumplin'!
Love you always and forever,
Kevin.