a letter to me from my middle daughter

Poppy,
Hi. Thank you for stopping by to see us on Saturday. We had a really great time. Thank you, also, for lunch and for putting up the shelves in the storage closet. You are such a blessing. It seems to me like everyone is always asking or wanting something from you, so I feel a little guilty asking you to do something or even allowing you to do something for us. You say it blesses you to help us, and I want you to know that the things you do bless us also. But, more importantly, please know that just being a part of your life, getting to see you and visit with you every once in a while, is more important and special to me than anything else. You're my poppy, and you don't have to treat me like a princess for me to feel like a princess. I already do. I feel like a princess just being your daughter. I know that you like "doing" things for us girls, but don't forget that it's not necessary for our love.
I love you and am so proud of you no matter what. I'm sorry that our relationship has been strained in the passed, but I never stopped loving you. You will always be, in a way, my hero.
I was reminded when we came to see you a couple of months ago in Duncan that you have accomplished a lot, financially, in the past few years. Going over your estate stuff reminded me of how hard you have worked for everything that you have, and I'm proud of you for that. But, I was proud of you way before that. I can remember thinking when I was a six year old little girl, that you were the greatest man in the world. You said something that sticks with me to this day. During your campaign in NC you said that no matter what happened you wanted your girls to know that you had tried to make a difference in our government. That simple statement will always affect my thinking and dreaming. And then, when we lived on the farm in the blue house, you had us pick up sticks every Saturday to teach us "a good work ethic", even though you had workers who you could have had pick up the sticks. It used to make me so angry, but I look back on it now, and think... you were a GREAT dad. You never stopped trying teach us and give to us tools to succeed in this like. You told me once, a long time ago, that many times God will use faults you see in others, as a mirror to see your own faults. You probably don't remember it, but I think I was complaining about someone being mean or annoying, and you said be careful how you judge, because many times the things that bother you most about someone are really a mirror of something wrong with you. God will let you see your flaws in someone else, so that you can recognize them in yourself. That is pure wisdom, and I have noticed it to be all too true in myself. It has definitely helped me to check myself when making judgments on others.
These are just a few of the life lessons that you have taught me, and they are more important to me than any "inheritance" or monetary gift that you give. I am proud of you for the things that you have taught me and the father that you have been to me and I just wanted for you to know this.
I read your last wishes letter, and I'm sorry that I did. It was my decision, but it made me really sad to think about death and dying. So, I don't want to talk about it after this. But, I think that the letter was a good idea, and maybe everyone should do something like that, just to keep a perspective that tomorrow is not promised to anyone. It's really hard to face that realization, and maybe you're a stronger person than I am to be able to. I hope that you aren't mad that I read the letter. I was curious and a little worried, so I went against my better judgment to read something that wasn't intended for me to read. I'm sorry. It was deeply personal and I feel heavy with guilt.
You may think that this was a little random and out of the blue, but I've been wanting to say most of this every since we were there visiting you in Duncan.

I love you very very much, and am very proud that you are my Poppy.

Love,
Emily