California Visitors

They made the trip in 99
to say a sad goodbye
to my precious son, whom they loved too,
all we did that time was cry.

In the fall of Two ought ought and three
they came to see the twins.
A happier trip by far was this;
to come when life begins.

And now for this Thanksgiving,
they came to spend the week;
to feast and laugh and banter;
old memories to seek.

Each time they come, each time they go
I feel a stab of pain,
knowing there's no guarantee
we'll live to meet again.

These in-laws and I have reached the age
where nothing is for sure.
One of us will go on first,
the others will endure.

They cannot stand the damp and cold;
I can't abide the heat.
A plane must take us back and forth,
when we decide to meet.

California to Washington
or vice versa, we will fly;
connected by my marriage vows
and friends until we die.

Joyce Johnson/11/30/05