Friday, July 21, 2006

We are heading out of town tonight to visit my in-laws in Omaha. I really like my in-laws. My mother in law is one of the nicest people I have ever met. A woman so perky and upbeat that when I first met her I had to ask my then boyfriend (now husband)"Is your mom for real?" He closed his eyes, shook his head and with a small smile said that, "yes, she is for real." Coming from a family that strongly believed in putting on a perfect happy face for the outside world and letting our delightful anxiety, depression and anger fester on the inside, I just couldn't believe that someone could be so genuinely cheerful and excited to be on the planet.
My stepfather in law is just as terrific. He is quiet and smart and so strong for the people he cares about. He helps to mellow and even out my mother in law's perky ecstatic energy. He loves cheesy jokes and makes a damn fine breakfast. So I'm looking forward to driving up to the Cornhusker State tonight and hanging out with the family. Relax at their log cabin, walk around the lake, sleep in and try to not roll my eyes when my mother in law gets excited and high pitched and I feel cynical and world weary standing next to her bright shining joy.

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