With open displays of love and laughter,
and affection still in the fore,
a family friend admired how it all seemed
and felt so genuine, so at ease after all these years.

“This is how families should be.”, she observed.
But she couldn’t see the crimes and misdemeanors
of the past, and the forgiveness behind them.

Later, we cut the September celebration cake
and shared it with all who were present.
There, on our festive plates, it was obvious to all
the tenacity of love still had a place at our table.