Back When

Grandma was usually waiting for me on the porch.
   She would cup my chin in her hand and
Exclaim I was the prettiest little girl in the world.

She had three girls of her own, so
I always figured she knew what she was talking about

Grandma wasn't sophisticated, and her house certainly wasn't fancy
My grandpa had built it
Back when sturdiness was in style.

I used to love to go exploring through the house
And stand in awe of the calendar picture of Jesus
On the wall in the living room.

At night, I could hear the mice running through the bedroom walls,
And I would snuggle down until the musty smell of the the quilt would leave me gasping for air.

My grandparents were simple folk who lived
Back when you didn't have to know interesting people
Or have lots of things or money.
Grandpa is dead now, but
Grandma still lives in the same sturdy house
With the picture of Jesus on the wall above the lamp.

(page 16, Saltwater Blues:  Snapshots of a Military Family