Cinderella Steps

When I was a little girl, I used to be fascinated by big steps - the ones leading up to houses.

My family has a long history with paper routes. Early mornings were often spent going from house to house, either hanging papers on the front doors or tossing them onto the front porches.

I picked out houses in the neighbors on our routes that had the longest stairways leading up to them, and always asked my mom if I could deliver to those houses.

I would start at the bottom and slowly glide up, pretending I had a long "Cinderella dress" on, and a big fancy party was awaiting me at the top.

I was the belle of the ball.

I was so excited when I moved to Fayetteville to find stairways of equal caliber to those in Marion.

I haven't had the chance to ascend any to the party at the top, but I'm glad they are here.