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CHAPTER 1
The family gathered to celebrate and honor our beloved grandmother, affectionately known to all of her grandchildren as Gim (short for Gimmie). It was Gim's birthday, and we were very excited to have a party just for her.
It is always a fun time when we visit Gim. Laughter echoes throughout her grand, old white house.
That grand house sits on a hill and overlooks the water, with gardens of flowers and vegetables and enormous trees for climbing. The hardwood floors are perfect for sliding in socks, and the banister is wide and can handle two kiddos sliding downstairs as if they are on a toboggan run.
There are big windows, little windows, round windows, and square windows everywhere. The sun loves to send its rays through to shine on all of us.
It is a perfect place to build blanket forts or play hide-and-seek inside and outside.
The kitchen is so big, it echoes when we talk, and it has large counters. While a meal is being prepared, we sit on the counter and watch.
Gim loves to spray us from the kitchen sink hose, inspiring loud shrieks and laughter.
Gim loves music. She likes to play her favorite songs loud, and she grabs a partner to dance and twirl. The music is loud, and so are the conversations and belly laughs. It is a very happy place.
Outside, we play everything from chess to capture the flag in Gim's huge yard. You can always find a pirate up in a tree or a teacher instructing a class on the patio. There is volleyball, basketball, badminton, and always a baseball game.
The cousins choose sides, and immediately the competition begins. Deciding who is safe and who is out make way for discussions of who hit the ball farther and threw it harder.
An energy surrounds Gim's house inside and out. All who are there know and feel they are loved.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Brightest Star"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Kim Sparkman-Berger.
Excerpted by permission of Balboa Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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