Granddad's Garden

My Granddad's garden is one of my favorite childhood memories. I can still feel the warmth of the sun beating down on my back as I bent over just like my Granddad. Green with splashes of color covered the slightly sloped backyard of the old white house; green beans, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, strawberries, and more. I always enjoyed picking vegetables and strawberries and eating them too! The house and my Granddad have been gone for years, but the memory is still fresh in my mind. Mmm, I can taste the sweet, juicy berries even now. . .

Hurry up, Granddad! I waited very impatiently on the creaky, back porch, longing to run up the path to see what was ripe today. My Granddad, hat on head, was finally ready to take me up to the garden. Buzz! Bumblebees were everywhere landing on the tall, colorful flowers all around us. They never bothered me and I watched them for a while, flying and landing, flying and landing. The black and yellow stripes made a contrast among the soft petals and leaves.

Strawberries, yum! That's what we will be picking today. With my basket in hand, and my Granddad reminding me to look for bright, red ones, I started on my way. The search was on as I bent down looking for red among all the green. I found one! Mmm, it tastes delicious. "Fill your basket, Jenny," he would say. I put one in my basket and then one in my mouth when my Granddad wasn't looking. The red, sticky, juice all over my chin was evidence that I just couldn't resist eating them right off the vine. He would just smile when he looked at me knowing I couldn't help myself. Sweet and juicy! I think I ate more strawberries than I actually picked today. . .

The strawberry patch was a small part of my Granddad's lovely garden. He nurtured and cared for that little piece of land with all his heart. It reminded me of Mr. McGregor's garden in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I imagine my Granddad chased many rabbits over time. He must have because when I visited, there was plenty left for me to pick. I enjoy gardening and hope to some day pass on my Granddad's love of gardening to my children and grandchildren.