MY IN-LAWS’ VOTE

Near the end of our visit with them,

The family spoke up, ahem…

To say I was theirs

With no “so there’s”

I was always welcome with them.

–

I fear I had let slip

My “other fam’ly” flipped…

Us off long ago

And the kids we don’t know,

My hope of reconciling had dipped.

–

My in-laws ALWAYS have been

Accepting of me as a friend…

In the common pot,

They’re the family I’ve got

And through Diana* I fit right in!

–

I do have aunts and cousins

In Massachusetts by the dozens…

Who leave us alone,

My failings are known–

Including few visits among ’em.

–

I kind of blame myself

For extended family dealt…

My isolation

Or self-preservation

Has colored views of family “wealth”.

–

Some do send Christmas cards

My familiar generation at large…

But among my cousins

Have lost track of dozens

Who live in their own back yards.

–

So it’s nice having family

That openly likes seeing me…

We made it this time

Up the Northway** incline,

Diana’s satisfaction is key.

–Jonathan Caswell

* Diana M. (Allen) Caswell is my wife of 24 1/2 years.

**The Northway (Interstate Route 87) goes north and south, from New York City to the Canadian border.  We take I-90, to Route 787 West, to I-87 North, to Exit 23….at Warrensburg, NY, before going on the secondary roads to Johnsburg, NY, on our trip to the Allen and Putnam family stomping grounds!