Ronald (The Family)

The other day in class, Beatrice unfolded a sheet of paper from her purse and handed it to me. On it was a poem in bold font. “Who wrote this?” I asked. “My son,” she says, “He wrote this several years ago, and everyone in the family has a copy.” She asked me if I could tape it up where it was ripped at the folds – clearly she's been carrying this poem in her purse all these years. Then, she asked if I could read it out loud for the class. I remember feeling so honored as I read, and I remember the pride that kept pouring out of her eyes as I looked up between the lines.

Ronald Newkirk
(#3 of Beatrice’s 7 sons)
The Family

When it’s family
you forgive them for they know not what they do
When it’s family
you accept them, ‘cause you have no choice but to.
When it’s family
they’re a mirror of the worst and best in you.
and when they always put you to the test and
you always do you best, and just pray for GOD to
do the rest.

when it’s family
some are preachers, some are gays, some are addicts,
drunks and strays, but none are turned away
when it’s family.
some are lucky, others ain’t, some are fighters.
others faint, winners, losers, sinners, saints
It’s all about family.
And when it’s family you trust
them and your heart’s an open door, and when it’s family
you tolerate what you’d kill others for.
when it’s family
you love and hate and take, then give some more.
somehow you justify mistakes, try to find some better way
to solve the problems day to day in the family.
you take the trouble as it comes and love them more
than anyone, good or bad or indifferent it’s still family.
You choose your lover, pick your friends,
not the family that you’re in, they’ll be with you
till the end cause it’s family

and when it’s family
you forgive them for they know not what they do
when it’s family
they’re a mirror of the worst and best in you.

When it’s family,
Let me be all I should be to
The Family…