"But now unfortunately I have come to realize just how rough it must have been for Grandpa to be away from his children for a year. Thinking about this, I wanted to put my thoughts and feelings down for you and your sister."

He wrote about his sorrow at having to leave for a long time, and the great joy he experienced with the children.

"I hope to have many more years with you," Cawley wrote. "If this doesn't happen, then know that I love you more than words can express."

Kim Coons, James Cawley's sister, said the family is happy about the Esquire article. That includes Miyuki, who has decided to stay in the United States.

"We were really pleased with all the coverage that he's been given," said Coons, a resident of Roy. "The letters really were touching things, especially the letters to his children in the event that he passed away.

"It's really a legacy to them, and something I'm sure they'll treasure for the rest of their lives."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com