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Throughout its history, the media has affected people in many different ways: the early horror classics 'Nosferatu', 'Frankenstein' and 'The Mummy' brought out imaginative fears in its viewers and like myself, kept some up all night. Radio broadcasts such as 'Amos and Andy' and 'Fibber and McGee' heard over the radio during the second world war gave its listeners hope and laughter. Sometimes, even a song played over the radio instantly brings back a memory of when it was first heard.

Since its birth over half a century ago, television has brought families together and for me one show in particular brings back a wealth of good memories recalled with each familiar scene. 'Little House on the Prairie' was more than a warm family program for me, it was time spent each afternoon after elementary school with my paternal grandmother Lu. It was the mid 1980's and the hit show was being broadcasted in reruns at 4 o'clock each weekday. My Grandmother and I would watch each episode together in her living room and later discuss what had happened over raisin filled cookies and milk or sometimes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I have never had a better sandwich since). We both loved Laura and Pa, but despised the mischievous and mean spirited Nelly Olsen. We loved the vintage costumes and the horse drawn carriages and wished we had lived in those bygone days.

After further discussing the story line of that afternoon's episode, we would talk about my school day, and she would ask me how everything had gone, sometimes I would talk to her about a certain boy in my class whom I held special affection for - I had so many crushes and she would smile knowingly. Sometimes I would tell her about my grown up dreams of designing fashionable clothing or becoming an actress. That one hour was a special time for us and I cherished it. Unfortunately, my grandmother Lu would pass away only five years later, much too soon for me, a teenager who had so many questions and so many things still to share with her. I still recall those afternoons so clearly even though it has been more than twenty years!

Now when I am changing channels on the television set, searching for something to engage me, I always pause when I hear the the familiar theme music and see the quaint little town of Walnut Grove. I remember my grandmother and her love and kindness and the special bond we will always share.

Learn more about this author, Kristina Hutchinson.
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