My out-laws are in town. They’ve wined us and dined us, chopped salad, skinned salmon, set up, cleaned up, watched me amp up, cool off and melt down. They’ve walked the dog and bought me flowers and ice cream and a haddock sandwich with fries. They've hugged us, kissed us, made us crazy while we made them crazy, humored my skepticism, perfectionism and political passions and painfully witnessed Calvin have a very long, shitty seizure.
Though the two of them are quite different from the two of us—like apples and avocados—we do have some common ground and I feel very fortunate to have them in my life. When my dad died, not long after my Pa stepped in. As my beloved mother fades away by degrees my Ma stands in. They love Calvin for who he is and they support us in all we do, even if they might not always agree or understand.
Here’s to you, Ma and Pa. I love you to the ends of the earth. And don't forget, Pa, it's all relative.
Though the two of them are quite different from the two of us—like apples and avocados—we do have some common ground and I feel very fortunate to have them in my life. When my dad died, not long after my Pa stepped in. As my beloved mother fades away by degrees my Ma stands in. They love Calvin for who he is and they support us in all we do, even if they might not always agree or understand.
Here’s to you, Ma and Pa. I love you to the ends of the earth. And don't forget, Pa, it's all relative.
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| My out-laws with Calvin a few days before his epilepsy diagnosis, 2006 |
I am glad that you have your Ma and Pa. And that's a darling photo of Calvin in particular. What little bean!
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