I See Guthrie Center First!
.
The two-toned Chevy kicks up dust
toward Highway 6, back in those days,
and heads west through Stuart
and under the “whee bridge,” also known as
the old railroad bridge,
to the Highway 25 cutoff.
.
We coast to the stop sign,
looking straight ahead
to an awesome dirt road.
But we head right, taking
forever and ever to get to
Grandma’s house.
.
We finally pass the sign to Monteith
before the only curve on this
forever road, bored in the back seat
with little sister Gloria,
behind Dad smoking his Camel
and Mom in a nice dress.
.
How much longer? Soon,
just over the hill.
I see Guthrie Center first!
Small homes pepper the hill
announcing our favorite town
because Grandma Leora lives there.
.
I saw it first, Dad insists, I just forgot to say so.
No fair, I pout. Won’t be long now.
The Chevy crosses the river and
the train tracks, and on up to the stop sign.
To the left, downtown lines both sides of
Highway 44, which slopes to the town park.
.
We continue northward, watching left
between the houses. I see Grandma’s house first!
Always a contest, just before turning
left up Ordway, then left onto North 4th.
Grandma’s little house is second
on the right.
.
Her glowing white hair appears on the porch,
with her delighted grin. I see Grandma first!
We spill out of the Chevy for hugs and pats
and the most wonderful winsomeness of
being with Grandma Leora,
no matter who got to see her first.
Sweet memories! We didn’t have such contests, but I always loved going to Grandma’s house in Corvallis.
Thirty minutes seemed like such a long time, kinda like driving across Nebraska!
I love your poem! (I think Leora would have loved it, too.)
Thank you, Liz. I bet you’re right!
You’re welcome, Joy!
When we visited our cousins, we had a little game after we piled into the car. The grown-ups were still chatting but we played “touched you last” which was sort of like tag only we were captive in the car.
Sounds like fun!
No memories better than Grandma memories!
Amen, Luanne!