I walk down the old dirt road
as the sun slowly slips behind the mountain
my heart sings as I see the small  pale blue house
with its flower laced pathway, surrounded by white stones

I knock and call out, so as not to frighten her
then use my key to enter the cozy living room
my smile widens when I see her sitting there
by the window  rocking slowly, writing again
her eyes barely see the paper
but she now writes mostly by memory

Her fingers are boney and bent with age
and the skin is whithered  and thin
but they move with the sureness of youth
I look around the room at the many volumes
she has written over time
they contain her history, her life
and all her experiences
I am so honored that she has shared this with me
through her written words, I have followed her
to many great places, seen great people
and experienced many wonderful things
I've also shared in her pain, her loss and her fears

As I prepare her meal and wash her clothes
I recall that the last five books she has written
are of another young woman of  more recent times
I have inquired as to who she is
grandma smiles and says she will reveal
her name in this book, which will be her last
when I ask sadly why she will write no more
she gives me a sentimental smile and says;
"the things and the people we cherish the most
will be with us for a time, and then pass on through life
just be thankful that you have them to enjoy
for whatever time you have them"

I sit at her feet applying linemint and
rubbing away the stiffness and pain
as her eyes light with joy from what she writes
I ask again about who the girl in this book is
but she just smiles and shakes her head
I brush her soft snowy hair and plant a loving kiss
on her sweet wrinkled face, then leave

I return to grandma's the next day
and as I enter the house, I'm alarmed
because she is not sitting by the window as usual
When I walk into her bedroom I cry out in anguish
for I know she is no longer with me
her thin, pale form rests on her bed, with the
now finished book held lovingly against her breast
and a peaceful smile is on her face

A few hours after I bury my sweet grandma,
I go back to her house and pick up the book
inside the first page is a note to me
"To my dear Niecie;  my granddaughter and my best friend
may your travels through life take you
to great places and you experience wonderful things
as I have.  Remember to leave your treasures
with those dearest to you, as I have with you
goodbye, my baby, see you in the next time!"

Warm tears slide down my face while I read
then I gasp and smile with wonder and joy
because the girl she has written about, is me!
the tears flow faster now, but I am not sad
because in those precious pages
my grandma has given me the greatest treasure
that I could ever ask for
I pick up the old pink and blue throw
that was forever across her knees
and I wrap it around my shoulders
then I open my book again and read
and go on my first of many journeys,
the first one is to Spain!