
The Treehouse Pizza Party
By Kate M.

26 Jul, 2023

Growing up, my sister and I lived in the most extraordinary home. A treehouse, that's what we called it, but it was more than just a simple structure sitting high above the ground. It had all the comfort and amenities of a standard house. Dziadzia, our beloved grandfather, was the brilliant creator of our extraordinary abode.

I still recall the day Dziadzia announced his plan to build a treehouse. The twinkling in his weary eyes reflected the excitement of our young hearts. My sister and I were beside ourselves with joy about the prospect of living in a “real” treehouse, not the makeshift ones we used to make on lazy summer afternoons.

Starting from scratch, Dziadzia worked diligently, making sure every nail and plank was perfectly in place. His determination and artistry were so inspiring that it eventually turned the treehouse into a symbol of perseverance and hard work for us.

The treehouse had a unique charm to it. Its wooden exterior was carved artistically, and the interior was tastefully done with colorful curtains and beautifully painted wooden furniture. It felt like a fairy-tale castle perched upon the sturdy branches of an old oak tree.

The unique feature of our treehouse, the one that made it truly extraordinary, was the pizza oven. Dziadzia, who was an amazing cook, installed it for us. It was a magical addition that transformed our treehouse into a culinary paradise.

The days when the sweet smell of pizza wafted through the air were our favorite. Dziadzia would put on his old checkered apron, spark up the oven, and prepare the pizza dough with a sparkle in his eyes while we watched with restless anticipation.

Dziadzia loved experimenting with different toppings. There were days when the pizza had a classic Margherita topping, while some days, it was loaded with exotic vegetables and cheeses. Each pizza was a culinary masterpiece that tickled our taste buds and warmed our hearts.

One time, Dziadzia decided to make a dessert pizza. With a twinkle in his eyes, he baked a sweet delight with caramelised apples and cinnamon dust onto the pizza dough. It was surprisingly delicious and instantly became our new favourite.

The days we spent in the treehouse with Dziadzia were pure bliss. We grew up learning about various plants and birds, and the taste of homemade pizzas. Along with these enamoring experiences, we also developed a deep bond with nature.

As time passed, our treehouse became the cornerstone of many unforgettable family gatherings. Our parents, cousins, and friends often visited, adding laughter and warmth to our quaint abode. Every visit became a treasured memory, a simple record of our happy times.

With every passing season, the treehouse took on a different form. The spring brought a ring of blooming flowers around it, summer added a golden hue, fall draped it in a blanket of colorful leaves, and winter turned it into a dreamy snow-castle.

Dziadzia, with his infinite wisdom, taught us to celebrate every change. He taught us that change is the essence of life and nature is the best teacher. The treehouse became an eternal symbol of change, growth, and resilience for us.

One day, Dziadzia introduced us to stargazing. We used to lie on the warm wooden planks of our treehouse floor, gazing into the vast expanse of the night sky. It was in those moments that we learned about constellations and galaxies, adding another magical element to our unique home.

As we grew older, the treehouse became our sanctuary. It became a place where we could escape our teen troubles and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature. The quiet rustling of leaves and the warmth of our treehouse healed us in ways unimaginable.

Over the years, Dziadzia taught us not only about nature and cooking but also about life. He filled us with tales of his youth and wisdom that he gathered over the years. The stories we heard and the experiences we had in our treehouse shaped our personalities and our perspective of the world.

Today, as we look back, we realize the treehouse was not just an ordinary place. It was a magical universe that Dziadzia built for us. A universe filled with love, laughter, life lessons, unforgettable memories, and of course, the delicious aroma of homemade pizzas.

Now, it's our turn to carry forward Dziadzia's legacy, to kindle the warmth of the pizza oven, and to fill the treehouse with laughter and memories. It's our turn to pass on the wisdom, love, and spirit of the treehouse to the generations to come.

We often sit in our treehouse, watching the sun set, and the sky fade from a bright blue to a deep navy. The stars sprinkled across, twinkle at us, as if nodding in approval for keeping Dziadzia's legacy alive. Each twinkling star seems to echo the evergreen memories of our past.

As adults, the treehouse still is our refuge, but it's no longer just ours. The laughter of our children and their friends fills the treehouse now. The smell of pizza that wafts from the oven now, is no longer Dziadzia’s recipe but an amalgamation of flavours developed by us and our children.

My sister and I often exchange glances, seeing the joy and wonder in our children's eyes that we once had. Even though Dziadzia is not here with us physically anymore, his presence is felt profoundly in every creak of the wooden planks and every lovingly baked pizza.

Our treehouse continues to stand tall, a symbol of our grandpa's love and our extraordinary childhood. Dziadzia’s treehouse, our home, is a living testament to the beauty of living in harmony with nature, nurturing familial bonds, and creating magic with homemade pizza.

And we are certain, somewhere in the peaceful heavens, Dziadzia is smiling down at us, proud of how his treehouse has turned into a home filled with love, warmth, stories, and the sweet smell of pizzas.

Each passing day in the treehouse is a reminder of the precious lessons he left us with - to honor our roots, cherish our bonds, relish the simple joys of life, and most importantly to keep the tradition of making pizzas alive in our treehouse.

Living in a treehouse has taught us the essence of life. As we gaze out at the lush green canopy around us, we are reminded of the beauty of simplicity, the importance of love, and the joy of sharing. Every day in our treehouse is a day well-lived, a memory well-created.

And so, the story of our treehouse continues. With every sunrise and sunset, with every change of season, with each freshly baked pizza, the treehouse keeps adding chapters to our beautiful and magical family story, preserving Dziadzia's legacy for eternity.