Grandpa's Barn

Of 32 Dansie grandchildren (16 boys and 16 girls), I'm the oldest and Alli is the youngest. Our age difference doesn't matter, we adore each other. I love being silly with Alli. We eat goldfish crackers as they shoot off the treadmill, sing crazily in the car, pop whipping cream in the air and try catching it in our mouths, play water pong and take silly pictures. The one shown above is our normal pose. The one not shown is of us sticking out our tongues at each other. Yep, we're goofballs and love each other very much. Hugs to you Alli!

This picture is worth a thousand words, or more. Same barn, different side and with me and my girls. The barn was built by my Grandpa Merlyn in the late 1940's/early 1950's. It stands at the back of my grandparents property. I love this barn, always have. It reminds me of my grandpa's hands... big, strong, callused... yet gentle. I saw his hands work wood, draw bugs bunny, do puzzles, cut fabric, do dishes, make delicious burgers, hand out stuffed animals at Easter, crack nuts, use every type of equipment, sort through nails and screws, hold open doors for the ladies, steal my nose and every other grandchild/great grandchild's nose, and gently hold my grandmother's hand. I miss you, grandpa.

This barn also reminds me that once I'm gone, I'll still live through others and things/memories I've created and been a part of. Sometimes I look at the barn and think it's unfair that it's still standing yet my grandpa is gone. Then I realize it's standing because he made it so well that it's stood the test of time. Sure, it's weathered and a bit weaker than when it was first built, but it's still standing. This is analogous to the truth that with time memories fade. I'm pretty sure that's why I love to take pictures and write. I don't want to forget! My grandpa's barn is a reminder that every day I'm working on my legacy, that which I'll leave behind and how I'm remembered.