(9 – 11 yrs)

        I peeped through the louver window into my Grandparent's backyard. A sweet scent sailed towards me. It smelled like the air freshener Mommy sprays in our house. I opened the back door and ran over to the rose bushes. They were loaded with beautiful red roses. As I moved closer, the scent grew stronger. I took in a deep breath and stood admiring the roses swaying in the breeze.

        The early morning’s sunlight streamed through a huge mango tree on the opposite side of the yard. Soft sunlight fell on the tiny dew drops gracing the rose petals. The dew drops sparkled like diamonds. Bees buzzed around busily moving from one rose to another. When it was safe, I plucked a rose carefully and sniffed it before sticking it into my hair.

        Peeking up at me from the rose bushes were Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. At about twelve inches tall these yard ornaments were a playful addition to Grandma’s well-kept garden. As I bent down to say hello, an earthworm burrowed its way through the soil. It wriggled over Snow White’s shoes disappearing once again below the soil. Afraid I might get stung by a bee, I decided to check out the rest of the backyard.

        The wind scattered rose petals onto the concrete path. A blanket of red led through the yard. I slipped off my rubber slippers and stepped gently on the petals. They felt soft and silky under my bare feet. I followed the pathway across the yard to a Victorian dollhouse. Grandpa had built it for me when I came to visit.

        Grandpa said that the dollhouse was a Victorian style. The outside was painted in an ivory color. The trims around the windows were pink and yellow. Pale blue window boxes decorated each of the two windows in the front of the dollhouse. Red, yellow and white Jump-and-kisses (flowering vine plant) spilled out from the window boxes. A matching pale blue front door proudly displayed a “Welcome” sign. Three stoops led up to the front porch. At the corner of each stoop were two graceful white swans carved from clay.

        An old rocking chair sat on the porch. My clever Grandpa had built it out of greenhart wood. I plunged into the rocking chair and clutched the arms as I rocked back and forth. Its soft feathered cushion made it very comfortable. I closed my eyes and relaxed to the gentle trickle of water from the fountain in the middle of the backyard. In the center of the fountain was a little girl with a water can in her hand.

        “This little girl is you, Sugarplum,” Grandpa would whisper in my ear, every time he caught me admiring the fountain. I would laugh and call him silly.

        Rocking in my rocking chair, I would sing my favorite song, “Billy Boy,” feeling as free as the wind passing by. My grandparent’s backyard was my most favorite place in the world.

Copyright © 2006 Anette Gurbatri