Faerie Tale Ball

   When I was a child, my grandparents lived just down the road from the farm.  In fact, the Little Bayou House stands right next to their house and my brother lives in it today.  As a child, I was often allowed to go spend the night with Grandmother and Granddaddy.  For a tyke whose only fulltime friends were older siblings, these visits were a special treat.  Later, I found out that I was literally sent there whenever Mom needed a break.  Having five kids was quite a job and I am sure that I, being the youngest, was quite a handful at times.  Still, I thought it was a reward of some sort to be allowed to stay the night.  Even though their house was about a quarter of a mile from the farmhouse (and then down a wooded lane of about that same distance), I would pack my little bag and walk to their house.  I admit that sometimes it was a bit scary for a preschooler to be alone on that long hike.  Several times, people driving down the road would stop and ask where I was going.  I am sure these were just neighbors being concerned as after I reassured them I was on my way to Grandmother's place, they would pull into the driveway to confirm with Mom.  Neighbors used to watch out for each other. The only other frightening time was when several stray dogs approached.  Thankfully, Granddaddy was in the lane and heard the commotion.  He came to my rescue!

  While on the pier yesterday morning, it was dark enough that all of the lights from across the Bay were casting beautiful streaks on the calm waters.  Those lights jogged a memory loose from the nooks and crannies of the brain.  I started thinking about those pleasant nights spent with grandparents.  My hike to my grandparent's house would begin in midafternoon and I would have supper with them.  Then, I was allowed to stay up and play a game with Grandmother or sit on Granddaddy's lap while he watched the news.  He had a huge rocking chair that seemed to be perfect for two!  Afterward, he would read me a story!  Then, I would climb in the big double bed and try to sleep.  The room seemed huge as this was the only place that I did not share a room with siblings.  To overcome the feeling of "aloneness", I learned to turn toward the big windows that faced the Bay.  Across the water was Keesler Air Force Base.  The lights of the Base were a source of interest to this little girl.  By day, they were the Air Base.  By night, they became a castle.  In my imagination, a fanciful ball was taking place under those lights!  Either Belle, Cinderella or even the Twelve Dancing Princesses were twirling in their loveliest ball gowns just across the Bay.  (My imagination worked really great even back then.)

  Sitting in the stillness of the predawn hours, my brain flitted from one memory of my grandparents to another.  I am glad that I was able to grow up being involved with them.  I learned so many things from how to appreciate a good cup of tea in a fine porcelain cup to using a wood lathe to turn candlesticks.  Sometimes, sitting in the dark by oneself is all it takes to set things right with the world.