I just found out my aunt is dying, they say less than a month. I was adopted as a baby and she's an aunt that I now have as part of finding new family; It's been about 15 years since then. Finding my birth mother and my new family is one of the best things I've ever done, it's been great. Everyone has been so accepting and have always made me feel so welcome and part of the family. This aunt that's dying has become a very special part of my life, we've done a lot together in the short 15 years since we've met. I will never be able to see her again so unfortunately this is going to be my goodbye letter to her. We spent a day together a couple weeks before getting the news of her illness, it was a wonderful day, we had a great time and now one I will never forget and always be thankful for. She's being so strong and handling this so well; making her everyday time left special, spending time with her grand kids and love ones in her life. Being a grandma has been one of the greatest gifts in her life, always being sure to spend special time with each and everyone.
I'm not real good at putting my feelings on paper so any ideas or examples would be greatly appreciated.

Before you write her, does she want to receive such a letter?

If she does I would write from the heart, telling her what you've told us, giving specific examples. "I'll never forget the time ..." Things like, "I will share my memories of you with my children (or friends) and I know eventually I will smile when I remember ..."

From the heart is the secret.

I think you just wrote it!

Yes, I've been told it would be great for me to write a letter, it would mean a lot to her. Thanks for your help; I guess you're right, when I read what I wrote for myself, it already has a lot of what I'm looking for!

When my husband died the most important letters to me were very exact - a specific time people would remember, an event, something like that brought him very much back to life.

Like Judy said, be specific. When my dad died, it was comforting when people remembered his love for the Chicago Cubs, his preference for sweater vests (pre-Rick Santorum), the jokes he repeated from the newest Reader's Digest.