Scripts.
Are you staying on yours? 
Ad libbing is liberating 
But not always welcome.

Expectations.
Rigid and flexible. 
Met and unmet.
Spoken and unspoken.
Every decision a gamble.

Memories.
Brought to the table. 
Faded and fresh.
Some need reheating. 
Some taste better cold.

Stories.
Our own and theirs. 
Mixing together
For good or bad.
Memories are the main ingredient–
Expectations and scripts are the seasoning.

Family.
Blood, chosen, and incidental.
Heavy with meaning,
Like a thick gravy.
The birthplace of our stories.

Laughter.
Authentic and sarcastic.
Does it touch only your face,
Or go to your belly?

Tears.
From laughter, 
Or from pain.
A gentle release.

Broken hearts.
Ours and theirs.
Past, present, 
And what we see coming.
A tender place
And possible points of connection.

Challenges.
From stories, memories, expectations,
Scripts, and broken hearts.

Compromise.
Hopefully. 

Love.
The verb, not the noun. 
The noun is left when the verb is gone, 
Like the turkey carcass when the meal is finished.

People trying their best.
People always trying their best,
With what they know
And where they are.