It's me, Ley-Ley. Things have been very strange without you here. The past year has been really hard for Mom and me. We're making it though. Mom's reacquired a taste for gardening. You'd laugh if you saw her now; she's always covered in dirt and weeds. She misses you like crazy, but she's doing well.
      You'd be happy for me, Daddy. You should see your little girl. I've attained a real family. That's right. Taylor and I got married yesterday. I have never been quite so happy in my entire life. Between him and the kids, I've got my hands full. I'm loving every minute of it, though. We've already decided that we need to turn our family of 5 into a family of 6. You may have a few grandbabies after all. I was surprised by how easily the kids took to me. I still try not to put myself upon them too much. You never know - especially with teenagers - when they're going to get mad.
      You didn't know this, but Taylor got a job as a teacher. The thought of him teaching a room full of 9- and 10-year-olds is enough to make me laugh. He enjoys it though, as do I. He's home more often than with any other job. I've got a nursing job here now, too. The Caboose didn't need my services anymore. It closed down a month and 3 days after you left us.
      On the subject of the Caboose, Martha died not so long ago. Her body finally gave out. A lot of my secrets went with her. A long time ago I spilled my guts to her about Taylor; things I couldn't tell anyone else. Tell her I say hello if you see her up there, and Beverly too.
      Things are finally turning around for me. I am happy, for the first time in years. The past is turning into something of a distant, hazy dream. Things are beginning to look up. Life is beginning to become as it was always meant to be. I wish you were still alive to see it.

Missing you,
Your loving daughter,
Ashley Hanson