"A Daydream to Share"

by Kathy Whitson/aka mtymac413


"Would you like some coffee with that cream?" Bob asked as I stirred the now white cup of Java. "Habit," I stated and he gave me a queer look. I walked back to my desk still contemplating my answer - "Habit," I had said and then realized its origin.


I was transported back in time to the most beautiful white and gray tri-level house in the world. A huge cherry tree adorned the back yard, perfect for climbing. In the kitchen, from my recollection, the walls were covered in tiny white and multi-colored tiles and pine cabinets. The kitchen table had metal legs with a wood Formica top and, accompanying the ensemble, were the patterned, vinyl high back chairs that always made me feel so small.


My chair was under the window, grandma's to my right and grandpa across from me. I was about seven or eight years old and, like most children, always wanted to go to grandma's house.


We would be finishing up dinner consisting of a beautiful piece of beef covered in carrots, onions and potatoes smothered in rich gravy. Everything seemed to taste better at grandma's, even the cheese sandwiches. After dinner, when my milk was half gone and we were ready for clean up, Grandma would say "coffee Kath?" so matter of fact, like I was used to being spoken to as an adult.


"Yes, please," I would reply and she would drop some in my milk -just enough for color and making my smile wider as she stated, "Sugar?" "Thanks grandma," I'd say as we started to clear off the dirty dishes.


She washed and I dried while she showed me how to clean the sharp knives "blade away" she would say; I intently studied her technique.


After the dishes were done, grandma would bring out a delicious dessert which she had gotten especially for my stay. Listening to the faint sound of the TV and grandpa's lighter going off as he lit another L&M cigarette, gram and I would settle down to a serious game of Yahtzee.


Through the whole game we would talk about all kinds of things from school to my parents. There was nothing I couldn't say to gram. She never judged, she would just advise or come up with a story from her past to lend a helping hand.


My grandma is a strong woman who states how she feels and if you ask, you will always get the truth. Telling it like it is, her legacy to me. As I now feel that I have become a person of morality, with my own ideas of which I am not afraid to speak. Grandma always says she should keep her mouth shut, but I'm glad she doesn't.


I always tell people that I'm just like her, even though I don't have her confidence yet. I know she will continue to help me in that department, too.


I'll never forget my sleep-overs at grandma's house and someday when I have grand children of my own, I hope to pass on some of her wisdom to them.


God willing I'll have the strength to answer all those many questions that little ones have to ask.


When I can't come up with all the answers for them maybe I'll just offer a little coffee with their milk.

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