Those 70ish Girls

When Kip and I were driving the 20 miles from our campsite to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park, I was telling him that Grandpa Sanderson took my brother, Billy, on a trip to Yellowstone when he was 8 years old. That led me to begin thinking about all the things Grandpa did for his grandchildren.

When I was in high school, he drove me all the way from Murdo to Vermillion, SD, which was almost day’s trip, so I could attend music camp.

One day, when I was out with him fishing in his boat, he gave me a really nice jack knife. I have no idea what happened to it. I lost it somewhere along the line. He gave Billy a knife, too. The next time they were out fishing, Grandpa asked Billy where his knife was. Billy said he left it at home. Grandpa said he guessed it wouldn’t get lost that way.

That day, when Kip and I were on the way to the park, I silently thanked Grandpa for all the things he had done for me while I was growing up. I said, “Grandpa, I hope you can hear my thanks. If you can, please give me some sort of a sign.”

We had a wonderful morning seeing the sites at Yellowstone. While we were sitting at a picnic table eating lunch, Kip looked up and saw a lady walking by. She had a T shirt on that said, “Sanderson Witch Museum.” I was flabbergasted, and I took it as a sign that Grandpa Sanderson had heard my message. I am certain he didn’t believe in witches, but he would have known that seeing the Sanderson name would have gotten my attention.

By the way, the Sanderson Witch Museum displays a history of the Salem, Massachusetts, witch trials. Three Sanderson sisters, no relation to me, were among the accused. I do have a connection to another Salem witch. She was my grandmother several times removed. Her name was Suzanna North, and she was one of the 19 who were hanged. My cousin Bobby Haverberg discovered our link to her when he was researching the Sanderson family ancestry.

In any case, I had a very special grandpa, and I hope he truly felt appreciated.