Make Good Decisions

There it was. I looked over and saw that old, red barn. As we drove into my grandparent's farm, I remembered it immediately. I don't remember much, but I definitely remember this old barn. Not because it was full of animals, but because it held special memories that I hold close to my heart. Some were about my dear grandfather, whom I had just lost. Some were just memories of how my friends and I would hang out in it, but the one that I will never forget is how I fell in love.

My mom looked over at me and asked if I was okay. I looked at her with a little sadness, but I answered, "Yes, I am fine." Even though I knew that I was lying, I did not want to cause any more stress. My mom has been running around for the past few days trying to figure out how she was going to handle the finances for grandma and the farm. Before grandpa died, he did all the work. Now that he is gone, we have to figure out how to maintain everything on the farm. Mom doesn't want to sell it, but it may be the only way.

I decided to walk to the barn because it was a peaceful place. I needed to think about everything that was going on. I also wanted to be in a familiar place where I can reminisce about the past. I looked over at one of the corners where there were stacks of hay. It was a place I remember fondly because it was the spot where my friends and I used to sit around and have lots of fun. That corner spot had many memories. I started to get a little teary-eyed again because I remember my grandfather used to come outside and bring us a radio. Grandpa also liked to have fun times. He never tried to stay and impose, but he smiled for us to have a great time. He always said to us, "You kids have fun now, but not too much fun. Make good decisions," as he would walk away. That last sentence always stuck with me in my head, even until now. "Make Good Decisions," is why I decided I would wait until graduation before I ever got too intimate with anyone or why I never decided to experiment with drugs and alcohol.

I was in the barn and I heard the laughter of my friends. All the memories started coming through. Like the times when we played truth or dare. I had to complete the dare of kissing Michael. Oh man, Michael was such a dream. He was the one that all the girls wanted "Spin the Bottle" to land on. We played many games in this barn. There was one night when I was at a party and we played, "Seven Minutes in Heaven." That was the night I got my chance to be alone with Michael. We kissed passionately and I told him how I feel. I let him know that I was deeply in love with him. I did not tell him that night, but I fell in love the first day that I locked eyes with Michael. He came into my barn with a couple of friends. I could not stop giggling with my little schoolgirl crush. Eventually, Michael and I started to date and he was my boyfriend through high school. He was my first love. We spent much time in that barn making out with one another. I never let our passion get out of hand because I always heard my grandfather's words, "Make Good Decisions."

Thank you grandpa for always reminding me that good decisions lead to happier times. That barn was special to me and I will never forget it. I hope we never have to sell it. I hope I can always come back to this place and remember all the beautiful times I shared with my friends. Not only that, but I will remember the best grandfather a girl could ask for. The barn was a place of Peace, but also a place that carried lots of laughter, and of course love. It will always carry lots and lots of love.