Families of friends
can fill a void with
welcome and warmth.

Three of our parents have passed away.
Brothers and sisters divided up
into growing family sections.

A Christmas eve visit
at Cat and Doddie’s
old rambling house with family waiting.

Shay Shay running around
like a wild child waiting
for Santa.

The college girls having
a gift swap with their friends.
A house teeming with love and laughter.

I feel as if I am being nurtured
like Lily in “The Secret Life of Bees.”
I want to go upstairs and sink into one of the beds.

The smell of serious cooking, massive amounts
of inviting aroma that are part of the people
who share so much love for each other and for us.

Long time best friends.
Summers of barbeques and Badminton.
Rich green grass and a porch swing.

The colors of summer and winter shared.
The colors of us welcomed in their home
and the colors of them welcomed in ours.