Santa-in-Law, Jan. 3, 2026

my brother’s wife arranges huge

celebrations for every relative’s

birthday or anniversary, all holidays,

really any occasion to gather family

and single-handedly arrange

all food, gifts and fun

this Christmas was no different for

twenty of us, with a feast and presents

waiting at a rented ice-skating rink,

so, it was a surprise a few days later

when she texted me a Happy New Year

on the morning of its eve

when I joked, you’re a day early

she broke down, writing about feeling

unappreciated and sad without details,

leaving me to guess she is eager,

like many, for a new year to exit

the dark corner they are in

I didn’t have the heart to tell her

a massive rainstorm lurks

just around the bend