I just returned from a wonderful afternoon at my brother and sister-in-law’s celebrating my Godson’s (gasp!) 15th birthday.

Of course, the first thing that always comes out my mouth is “Where did the time go?”

He was just a baby. Just yesterday.

Of course, I said that about my son and that was twenty-seven years ago.

But what’s always grand about these gatherings, is getting together with my sister-in-law’s family. They are so much fun and fit in well with our nutty group. After all, our family motto is “We put the FUN in dysfunctional.”

This time we missed my father and stepmother. My father, 80 years young, found traveling today difficult and we were without the pleasure of their company. It was quieter, but they were not forgotten. It just reminded us that my sister-in-law’s family no longer has either of their parents, and so we were all riding without our folks sitting shotgun tonight. And trust me, if you ever had her mother’s pina colada’s you’d be missing her parents too! Such lovely people!

The truth of the matter is that my family has been blending strays and in-laws into it for decades.

When my parents divorced, each remarried and the blending occurred instantly with stepparents and stepbrothers. Time went by and my half sisters appeared on the scene. As they grew up and married, more fell into the fold. All of these talented and funny people make this family the glorious patchwork quilt we are today. I wouldn’t trade any of them.

Just as special are the strays who have joined us along the way. Our Southern Son “adopted” into our family is an example. He spends Christmas at our house and we wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s enriched our lives and reminds us to spread our arms a little wider.

And really, isn’t there always room for one or two more?