Family ties

My Grandma used to say,
"crap or get off the pot,
guard your reputation,
and that family's all you got".

When I was growing up,
I had a sense of family.
I knew my aunts and uncles,
and saw my cousins frequently.

But somewhere down the line,
our family ties broke down,
the last time we all gathered,
was to put Grandma in the ground.

I remember vividly,
what Grandma used to say.
"I'd like to gather up this family,
before I pass away".

But she never got her wish,
and I for one regret,
that the past two generations,
have never even met.

My nieces and my nephews,
and my cousins kids,
are having children of thier own,
but no family ties exist.

They have never met each other,
don't even know each others names.
most never knew my grandma,
and that really is a shame.

Every single one of us,
owe our lives to Claudine Read,
for if she had not existed,
then niether would have we.

So I think we should honor her,
and come together for one day,
but I'm doubtful that will happen,
until we all have passed away.

Brett Michael Crow
February 19, 2008