Her story, as told by Kathy Waites

You know, it's really not bad growing old. I've seen so many things in my life and I have so many memories. The world is changing and changing fast, but there are some things that never change. Things like the roots of my existence, and the impact that I have had on the world, and the people that have come through my doors.

A long time ago, the people who settled in this small Texas community of High Grove (near Bastrop), understood the importance of education. That is how I came into existence. They wanted a place for their children to grow and learn. Take for example, Vera Johnson, a wonderful little girl who grew up around here. She came to me one day and thus began a long and meaningful relationship.

Every fall Vera would come to me. Each spring she would finish, but she never left. There were many activities that took place year round. So, Vera was never too far away or gone for very long. Vera finished her education with me. She grew into a beautiful young woman and learned many wonderful things within my walls. But, after Vera finished her stay with me, she moved on to other things like so many of the children did. I will never forget all the times, all the years. Things change all right, but my memories of Vera stay.

In fact, Vera became a very vital part of my life. The teacher who had been with me and taught Vera left. I needed a new teacher. Well, I was thrilled when the new teacher arrived. You see, it was Vera. She had come back, not just to live in our town, but she came back to me. That's why she left. She went to learn how to be a teacher. She came back to teach others within my walls, where she was once a student. Vera taught for a while, but she married and had children of her own and she wasn't able to teach any more.

One fall day, a new group of students came to me. They came full of excitement and enthusiasm. One of them was named Edith. Edith was special, for you see, Edith was Vera's daughter. Oh what times we had and I was blessed with the sight of Vera's little girl growing and learning just like Vera.

Edith too moved on, just like a hundred other children. They moved away and had families of their own. Soon, the town started growing away from me. It wasn't long before a new school was built. You see, I am very small. There were now so many children, that I could not hold all of them. People moved, families relocated, and new families moved in. Edith married and had three children. Her children started school and she became a real estate broker. Things were changing.

Vera had moved too. Her family was growing and it wasn't long before Vera wasn't just Vera anymore. Edith had children and so had Vera's other children. Vera became a grandmother and what a wonderful grandmother she was. All the children called her Mema. Although many had moved away, and even though some didn't even know about me, I knew that I was very important. Every Fourth of July, the community gathers around me for a homecoming day. Many times, Vera, Edith, and their children would come and walk through my doors. They would reflect on all the things that happened within my walls. I felt special. You see, I felt as though Vera's children and grandchildren were mine too. I even felt a part of their children. That's right. Edith became a grandmother too, and her grandchildren call her Gram. If it were not for the education they received within my walls, who knows where they would be, or even if Vera would have become Mema or Edith become Gram.

Times change, and it has been many years since the laughter of children have filled my walls. Vera, like many her age passed on, but she is near me. In fact, she lies in a small cemetery that is across the road from me. Every evening, just before dark, my long shadow reaches deep into the cemetery to remind visitors of my presence in the lives of those who rest there. And Edith? She still comes to visit. She visits her mother, and visits me too. But the story doesn't end there for Edith brought a new friend one day. Kathy is her name. Kathy knew Vera. In fact, Vera thought of Kathy as her adopted granddaughter, and has heard stories about me from her. Kathy has heard stories about me from Edith. Kathy and Edith visit often and every time I hear Edith tell stories about me and her and Vera. Kathy has even brought her daughter Sarah to see me and Sarah has heard our stories.

Yes, times change and people move on. Children do not come and learn in my walls like they once did. However, my memories and the memories of my children live on. My roots were planted deep and strong and the fruit of my labor has paid off and has been passed on from generation to generation. Nothing can take the place of that. My knowledge is passed on in other schools, where my students now teach, or where children of my students attend. Each July I see the generations together. The youngsters now study calculus and many subjects that I couldn't offer, but I see their roots… roots formed between my walls, and along the roads that lead to me. Perhaps the big schools can't create those roots like I could.

I still have a job to do. I do it every Fourth of July. I do it every time my students with their gray hair and weathered hands sit on my porch and tell my story to the children.

Webmaster's thoughts............

Kathy Waites was my grandmother's "adopted" grand daughter. Kathy was always a gentle soul, and loved Mema dearly. They were inseparable, and had a trememdous impact on each other's lives. Kathy has a special fondness for the little schoolhouse and its history through Mema's recollections. Kathy substitute teaches in Santa Fe, Texas when she can. It isn't the little schoolhouse, but the children are much the same, as is the love Kathy has for them. I think that was Mema's legacy, and Kathy is a worthy caretaker.

. . . . . . . Randy