Northern showers

“Families are messy. 

Sometimes the best we can do is remind each other that we’re related 

for better or for worse…

and try to keep the maiming and killing to a minimum.”

We're no different than any other family.

The ties that bind may stretch and fray;

we may secretly harbor thoughts that the parenting style used by some

(or lack of parenting, 

as the case may be)

indicate our kin are driving the crazy train
right off a cliff;

but that doesn't mean we don't love each other - 

 or that we're not happy to add another member to the mix! 

I guess the adage of "misery loves company" might be apt. 

Or maybe we're hoping that,

with one more try,

we'll get it closer to 'right'!

The shower in Chicago was a lovely celebration - 

and a nod to the collective knowledge 

that underneath the excited, 

VERY happy, 

eager dad to be

still lives the little boy who loved tales 

of ordinary humans 

doing great deeds

and discovering that they're Superheroes.

 

Folks drove in from Iowa, Michigan, Missouri

and all 'burbs

for brunch and the opportunity 

to laugh at, and with, each other;

OK, maybe mostly laugh AT, 

but that's what families do, right?

 

Teenagers hid behind screens pretending their family didn't exist

 some escaped into art,

and some just observed

(and judged;

who are they trying to kid?)

The only thing we could reach consensus on

is that baby food is disgusting.

 We were like the federal government -

there was NO agreement on any other issue:

due date,

birth weight

or baby name.

 We acknowledged that we're NOT the ones in control of all those things:

to whatever extent its possible to control them

 - and that's not much -

these two are.

Mid November is feeling closer all the time!