To Friends and Family

I'm bursting at the seams with humorous stories to share with you, but many of them pose a problem. These potential funny bone breakers come with a family request of, "Please, don't write about this." I've even had someone say they'd no problem talking with me, so long as I didn't write anything bad about them. The latter was said in jest, of course, but I still have to weigh the seriousness of hurting someone's feelings or embarrassing them unendingly when writing.

For instance, nothing has been brought up more times during family conversation than the day my mother lost an entire pan of meatloaf. There she stood in the kitchen, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head, "Where'd I put it?" Only to find, after several aggravated minutes that the meatloaf was still in the oven. (Mom, please sign here _________ and here __________ that you are okay with this release.)

At least I'm free to share silly stories pertaining to myself. Such as the time I caught my hair on fire while blowing out candles on my birthday cake. The s-dad really saved the day on that one by calmly reaching out with both hands to clap out the flames. (There's nothing quite like having birthday cake with the smell of burnt hair peppering the air.)

Of course, no chat amongst friends is complete without regaling the tale of my having worn a clothes basket on my head while trying to chase a bat out of my house. (On a few occasions, mind you.) Or how I once mistook someone's need for a sports "cup" as meaning any old cup out of their kitchen cupboard wouldn't suffice. (That embarrassment shows what little I know about sports.)

That's the wonderful thing about family and friends, the assortment of fantastic stories and embarrassing moments we share. Those situations, whether funny or sad, that only a relative or a longtime pal can appreciate.

It is our family and friends who are there to remind us that while nobody is perfect, (I eventually figured out why a sports "cup" was needed.) or when life seems to be cruel more times than not, that they will be there to get us through or find the humor when we think we'll never laugh again.

I've a great deal of appreciation for each and every one of those moments. So I want to take this time to say thank you, to my family and friends, near and far, current, those still to come and yes, even former, that I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Originally published in the Daily Advocate December 2007.

Bethany J. Royer-DeLong is currently entrenched at home fighting the good war against the gimmes and the I-don't-wannas. She blogs recklessly, as all mothers of children under the age of six should, and has been working on that "supposed" great American novel, times a dozen. You can visit her at motherofthemunchkins.blogspot.com and email her at broyerdelong@yahoo.com