The House My Grandfather Built

My Mother has been sick lately, and it has made me think a good deal about her life and look back at family history I accumulated about ten years ago.  While looking at family photos tonight I came across this North Florida cabin built by my maternal grandfather, Willie King (you know someone has Florida roots when she distinguishes North and South Florida as if they are different states).  I never knew this Grandfather because he died during the Depression when my mother was quite young, leaving Granny and six children.  I know that Mama lived in this cabin for a short while when she was just a baby prior to the family moving to a larger house.

I have a good life and a great home.  As the first female in my family to acquire a doctoral degree, that education has afforded me comforts and opportunities my ancestors did not have.  My life is their gift to me because what I am accomplishing in my life is done with the same energy and determination that Willie put into building this cabin with his bare hands.  As proud menials, my family cut their way through the Southern backwoods and passed that work value, energy and determination on to me.  I am grateful for their vision and values and proud of who they were. 

This photo was taken by my step-dad during a trip "back home" for Mama many years ago.  I do not know if the cabin is still standing.