The Tree of Life

My grandfather and I have had some wonderful times together. We’ve done everything from riding horses to competing in some intense chess games. Whatever we do though, he is always willing to have a lot of fun. Our whole family agrees that he is just a big kid. This kind of happy-go-lucky attitude has created some lasting memories.

One of our favorite things to do together is spend time outdoors. We are fortunate enough to live near some woods. That gave my grandfather an idea. We began to plan the construction of a tree house. We started out by cutting down some small branches and shaping them into usable pieces. We combined those with some extra boards he had. With the wood, the hammers, and the nails in hand, we headed outside.

After a few minutes of searching, we found the perfect spot. Just on the other side of a small clearing was a broad tree with wide branches going in all directions. We then began to work. We nailed planks into the trunk of the tree for steps that would lead to the tree house. The next step was to make a base to stand on. It was fairly easy because of the tree’s ideal shape. We then made a couple of seats where we could sit and relax. After several hours of hard work, we finally finished it.

For a few years after completion, my grandfather and I spent a lot of time in our tree house. We even had a secret password we had to say just to enter the area. We made up and played countless games in that tree. We even came up with a rope system that would allow us to bring food into the tree house.

Throughout the whole process, we had a great time. I also learned some very important life lessons. We learned that hard work definitely pays off in the end. The most important lesson though, was that you should never take anything for granted. Every day is a gift and you should make every effort to enjoy it. I really cherished the days I had spent with him when I found out that my grandfather had been diagnosed with cancer. I was glad I had spent time with him and felt fortunate to know him so well. I was also proud of his attitude during his treatments. He showed the same happy-go-lucky attitude and still lived life to the fullest in such a difficult time. Fortunately, his treatments have worked and he is feeling much better. The whole experience taught me a lot, and I am so glad we have something to look back at and laugh about each and every father’s day.