400+ Love Letters for Ed

This holiday season, you encouraged Ed as he walks through one of the most painful heartbreaks imaginable.

This past October, Ed lost the love of his life - his best friend. They had been married for 61 years.

In mid-September, Ed turned 80. Shortly after his birthday, his beloved wife began declining rapidly.

“When Grandma was diagnosed with early onset dementia 8 years ago, Grandpa never left her side trying new doctors, experimental medications, and support groups,” wrote Ed’s granddaughter, Megan. “They have always been best friends and taken care of one another as well as family and friends.” A personal essay written about their love story got Megan accepted into college. Theirs was a love for the ages.

“Cards have always meant a lot to my grandparents. They taught me that love should be shared with everyone which is exactly why I have been writing cards for MLL every month since 2017 when I learned about the organization. I have a stack of cards saved from my grandparents that started in my grandma’s cursive and as her dementia progressed shifted to my grandpa’s handwriting. I got a card in the mail the first of October wishing me and my husband a happy wedding anniversary. The card was even signed 'Grandma and Grandpa.' Through it all, they never missed an opportunity to celebrate others.

On October 5th, I knew I wanted to nominate Grandpa. I sat by my grandma's bed and explained to her what More Love Letters is all about. I asked her if this was  something we should nominate Grandpa for because he will miss her so much when she is gone. All grandma could do was raise her eyebrows, but I know she could hear me and would love for everyone to support her Ed.”

The next day, October 6th, was Megan’s 4th wedding anniversary. It was also the morning her grandmother passed away, holding Ed’s hand.

“Words of encouragement would mean so much to him right now,” Megan wrote. “Ed is actively involved in the church that he and my grandma went to their entire married life as well as being in a bowling league and a golf league. However, while Grandma was her sickest, he kept saying, “I don’t know what I am going to do without her.” Sending him a card would mean so much to me, our family, and my grandma who is smiling down on him now.”

You didn’t hold back. Over the course of November, over 400 love letters arrived for Ed from all over the world - from Germany, Spain, England, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Megan shared what a blessing it was for her parents to get to watch the letters come in, texting her daily that they had received another 18 or 20 cards. Each card had the same purpose - to encourage Ed as he walks through this loss.

“I cannot wait to give these to my Grandpa on Christmas Day,” Megan wrote. “Thank you for all you do.”