The House that Grandpa Built.

"You don't need to do much.

Remember what you did for me:

the pallet a few feet up in that crook of the old tree by the pond?

 

Even if you just clear out that space a little,

up there in those pine trees.

I'd like to help her,

but I just don't have time,

 and it would be a such a fun memory if you helped her."
My pleas fell on my father's sympathetic ear.

 And so Grandpa got the job.

Somewhere in the time that passed from my childhood,

to my daughter's,

he gained much more talent at this sort of thing,

or maybe he just realized how much more important this sort of thing really is.

 Even while it was being built,

she couldn't stay away.

She cried a few times,

because a couple of her favorite limbs had to be cut from her trees,

because she wasn't sure Grandpa really knew what he was doing.

School books were dragged up to the new spot.

Sometimes Grandpa was a fellow school mate.

 The fact that it is so close to the house is perfect

for when help is needed in the house;

and for other little people who like to check on the situation...

of everybody belonging to the house.

 It was high enough to launch the imagination on seas full of fearsome pirates,

soar through the air on puffy clouds,

or get away from the big bad wolf;

 but not so high to keep little sisters from joining.

 It quickly became that special place,

that home away from home.

 In all the weeks it took to finish,

she grew to trust that maybe Grandpa did know what he was doing,

and her appreciation showed.

I have a suspicion that as much as she loved seeing it built,

Grandpa was teaching her important things along the way.

 The memories to be made here have just begun...

 

but I have to think they had priceless start.

Thanks, 

Dad.

I hope it holds as many wonderful memories as my tree house did.

Linking to:
Hiphomeschoolmoms.com
Gnowfglins.com: Simple-lives-thursday
Atthepicketfence.com: Inspiration-friday

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays
Wordless Wednesday@ 5 Minutes for Mom
Living Well Wednesday @ Women Living Well
We Are That Family

 *Tea Rose Home

Raising Homemakers: Homemaking-link-up