Her House on the Shore

My

Ma made me

Promise that I’d

Try my best in school.

And always give it my all,

Even when I thought it was too

Hard or I couldn’t do it. I promised I

Would go to college and make a name for

Myself. She made me promise to get a good job.

One where I could not only make a lot of money. But

I could make a difference. I could help people. I promised her

That I would buy her a big house out on the shore. A place she could

Relax. Take a break. Reflect on all the good that she had done. So I did. I gave

My best and worked really hard. I got a good job helping people. I even bought a big

                         House out on the shore. It had a wide wrap around porch with two white

                         Rocking chairs out front. There were three bedrooms so she could invite

                         Her friends and family over for visits whenever she wanted. The view was

                         My favorite part because the sun rose right over the water. The beams of

                         Light licked the water gently;  they jumped  from                     place to place.

                         There was a big yard full of  oak samplings and a                    giant sycamore

                         Tree.  It even had a sweet  little garden tucked  in                    one side  that

                         she could  grow her famous tomatoes in and plant                   her pumpkins.

                         I knew right  when I bought it that mama would love the little flowerbeds.

                         She was known for planting beautiful yellow marigolds come each spring.

                         But I bet  that Mama’s  favorite                                  would be the kitchen.

                         She loved  to make cakes,  pies                                  and pastries. She also

                         made the  absolute best  roast                                     beef anyone ever had.

                         It made my mouth  water with                                    every bite. Now she

                         Could entertain and have all of                                   the parties with all the

                         Neighbors  like she  wanted to.                                  Only, my Mama never

                         Saw the house I bought for her.                                  She passed away last

                         Winter. She fought her hardest                                   and gave it her all, but

                         Not even my college degree or                                  ‘good job’ could stop

                         The cancer from spreading. At                                   first I was upset. Angry.

                         Unforgiving. But now I see that                                  this house is more than

                         Brick or stone. It is a chance to                                  thank her for what she

                         Taught me. It is a chance to help                               others. It is her memory.