An afternoon at Grandpa and Grandma's - Pt. 1

Some of my earliest memories at my Grandparents involve the large Arabian horse farm they lived on as caretakers. The spacious rambling farmhouse hosted countless hours of fun with the cousins, not to mention the beautiful yard and acres of woods and pastures to explore. Best of all, this farm was home to many beautiful, award-winning Arabian horses, some of them national champions. 

Our times there were spent helping Grandpa chore in the horse barns, playing our own games of horse show, tag, or 'What Time is it Mr. Fox,' in the large, sawdust filled arena, or playing with the other animals that made this farm truly a haven for young people. The unfinished basement was filled with possibilities as we poured over the horse magazines that filled the house, played with the large, model farm set, or spent hours playing on the slippy-slide Grandpa made, racing around in the car he also built for us, or playing darts with Uncle Joe. 

Gathering eggs in the chicken coop with Grandma was a favorite pastime of mine, except for the big mean old hen that hated me with a passion and would always try to scratch or peck me. I dubbed her 'Bertha' from day one, and great was my triumph when I got to eat a pot of soup made from her! 

The peacock pens were another favorite place for us youngsters. We would make it a race to see who could collect the biggest and best feathers. We would closely watch the eggs in the attached pole shed, waiting for the tiny peachicks to make their appearance. The duck pond and pen were another favorite place to roam. 

It was with quite a bit of sadness that my Grandparents moved from that quaint little farmhouse about six years ago. I had reached the age where some of the attractions did not hold the same appeal as in my younger years, yet I cherished the memories, and was sad to say goodbye to the only home I had remembered them living in. Spending the next 5-6 years visiting them in their new, extremely tiny house had it's challenges, and it was always a bit hard to believe our extended family days all together had now become impossible. You can perhaps understand my elation when about two months ago Grandma and Grandpa announced that the caretaker position had opened up again under more favorable circumstances than what had forced them to leave earlier, and they were moving back!

A few weeks ago we had the excitement of visiting them for the first time at the old farm since they moved. Upon arriving in the house, I couldn't contain myself and raced from room to room, down into the basement, and back upstairs, reliving every familiar room and savoring the smell of "Grandma's." Being able to sit together to eat lunch in one room together again was like heaven. 

It was also sobering to realize how much had changed. Grandma was always the one bustling around fixing the meals and cleaning up - this time it was us. A recent fall has made anything extra very difficult for her. Grandpa now moves slower too, and no longer has the horse chores as his responsibility. The peacocks have left, and the pen stands strangely empty. The dog pen holds a new face, and the duck ponds and shed have long since been turned into a shaded picnic, fire-pit, and gazebo area. New management has limited our "wandering" privileges, and the multi-thousand dollar horses lodged there forces a stricter carefulness. But, it's still Grandma's, and from the moment I raced around the house, to the afternoon time of curling up in the bay window with a book, to the hour or so wandering outside with my camera, I felt like I was walking in a dream. It was so good to just be there. To think. To remember. To thank God for the blessings of good memories that have in a large part been made possible by Grandparents who love the Lord and their grandchildren. I have been so very blessed....

...to be continued...