I See Guthrie Center First!

       I See Guthrie Center First!The two-toned Chevy kicks up dusttoward Highway 6, back in those days,and heads west through Stuartand under the “whee bridge,” also known asthe old railroad bridge,to the Highway 25 cutoff.We coast to the stop sign,looking straight aheadto an awesome dirt road.But we head right, takingforever and ever to get toGrandma’s house.We finally pass the sign to Monteithbefore the only curve on thisforever road, bored in the back seatwith little sister Gloria,behind Dad smoking his Cameland Mom in a nice dress.How much longer? Soon,just over the hill.I see Guthrie Center first!Small homes pepper the hillannouncing our favorite townbecause Grandma Leora lives there.I saw it first, Dad insists, I just forgot to say so.No fair, I pout. Won’t be long now.The Chevy crosses the river andthe train tracks, and on up to the stop sign.To the left, downtown lines both sides ofHighway 44, which slopes to the town park.We continue northward, watching leftbetween the houses. I see Grandma’s house first!Always a contest, just before turningleft up Ordway, then left onto North 4th.Grandma’s little house is secondon the right.Her glowing white hair appears on the porch,with her delighted grin. I see Grandma first!We spill out of the Chevy for hugs and patsand the most wonderful winsomeness ofbeing with Grandma Leora,no matter who got to see her first.