The Memory of My Great Grandfather by Bonita Batton

For most of my child life I have had the pleasure of being surrounded by, and not totally, people of different ages. The most vivid memory that stands out in my mind was our home on Hoff Avenue. This is the house that I was born in and knew the most.

It was always warm and comfortable, extremely loving and had a very expressed feeling of security. I was raised in a large family. My mother was the eldest of eleven children and I was raised along with them. I was the oldest great grandchild.

To my knowledge, I was not a bad child, nor was I the best. I did as I was told, didn't talk back as some of my aunts did, and was very level headed for my age. Even then, I knew when and when not to speak.

We raised chickens and fed most of the community that we lived in. That was quite a good life. My Great grandfather was very tall and took very good care of us. When I started elementary school, I could already read. He taught me to read from the railroad trains that passed in front of our house. I could read quite well for my age. The first words that I learned was "pennsylvania railroad".

My great grandparents were very well educated. I never knew how, but I do know that they read extremely well. Which may be the reason that they made sure we could all get an adequate education.

There was always a sense of belonging there. We always knew that we were loved and felt very secure. I think that was the most important aspect of my growing up, I felt extremely loved and secure in my childhood. All thanks to my great grandparents. I still feel warm and fuzzy just remembering them.