Lake Helen City Observer

When I was a little girl, I knew there was some sort of treasure over at my Grandma�s house. Whether it was buried behind the old pig pen, inside the shed next to the house, or in a big chest, underneath the house itself, there had to be a treasure. To Grandma, everything she had was some sort of treasure. She collected many, many things along the years; old tools, toilets, tiles, and jars, broken or mint, it had a use and Grandma was happy to have it. So among the things stashed under the house, hidden in the shed or planted in the toilet, there just had to be a real treasure.

I lived next door to Grandma and some of my happiest days were spent skipping along the worn path that led from our back porch, through the gate and to Grandma�s house. The house intrigued me in my youth, it�s age showed through the peeling paint, but that was just part of it�s unique character. The front door slid into a little pocket and inside there was always an assortment of chairs or couches to sit on. Granddaddy always talked to us kids, sitting on the bed drinking an Old Milwaukee. Grandma was always busy cooking or cleaning or just staying busy. Together, they were happy. Grandma had great devotion and love for Granddaddy and that showed in all of the things she did. I�ve seen true love and they had it. That taught me a lot about what life and love should really be like.

There are other happy memories at Grandma�s house, the playhouse in the back yard, the wooden rocking horse, the old bell attached to the front porch that Grandma would ring for Susie whenever cousin Will called from the Navy. It was fun at Grandma�s house. There were brick pathways that led around the house, it almost felt like you were in a secret garden. We grandkids would pick mulberries, play hide and seek and just enjoy being lost in a lazy summer day. Sitting in Grandma�s living room in the evening hours almost always brought a song about. There was an old song book that Grandma would flip through singing bits and pieces of songs that I�ve learned to know and love. If she wasn�t singing, she was whistling, a wonderful habit that has done it�s share of traveling around in the family.

Grandma has always had some sort of pet. A bird, dogs, and a little chicken she named Chicka-Bitty. Every animal Grandma has ever had, that I remember, has shown great affection for Grandma.

There were times that I didn�t see eye-to-eye with Grandma. If there was a plate of food in front of you, she expected you to eat what was on it, even if it was a little unusual. Sometimes it caused a fuss because Grandmas expect you to at least try it, but you know, I tried it and sometimes it really was good. You could see the delight in Grandma�s eyes when you tasted it and she could tell you liked it.

Grandma has always been a strong and independent woman. If you want something done, do it yourself, a motto well taught by my Grandma. My Grandma has probably worked harder in all of her eighty years of life than any man I will ever know.

My Grandma is an amazing, strong, beautiful, devoted, and loving woman who would do anything for anyone in the family. I�m sure she has done a lot for each and every one of us. I thank my lucky stars that she has been a part of my life, that she raised my father and my aunts and uncle to be the people they are. Each of them has also touched my life at one point in time and given me happy memories that I can cherish always!

So, if I can say one thing, I want to Thank You Grandma for teaching me, intriguing me, being firm with me, singing with me, laughing with me and loving me. You are one of a kind.

Yes, there really was a treasure at Grandma�s house, but it wasn�t buried or stashed or hidden away. It was in plain sight for all to see. It was my Grandma and the family that she and my Granddaddy raised.