Favoring my left side, stiff and sore from surgery still,
I walked out to my front porch and sat down in a straight chair.
Near me, my husband was half-sitting atop the rail.
We sat with our daughter and son-in-law, a special rare
Treat for us. The late afternoon graying clouds hid the sun;
The breeze from the oak trees gave cool rest from the heat
And the Alabama mid-July humidity.
The seven-month-old twins napped in car seats at our feet.
Their big brother, brave five-year-old blond-haired, blue-eyed soldier,
Armed with "pretend," kept us safe from an invisible threat
Until the grown-ups paused in catching-up news
To bring out ice cream. Then the soldier furloughed to get
His share of the winter-cold treat. As we talked and ate,
The twins awoke and stretched, the dainty girl and smiling boy.
As we laughed together, I breathed a quick "Thank You" to God
For my sweet family and this interlude of joy.