Everyone Needs a Sister - in-Law

I used to have three sisters-in-law. Sadly, two passed on.

Now I have one.

I remember the day when my brother announced that he was bringing his girlfriend round to meet us.

He said her name was Judi, and then went on to entreat us,

Not to go over the top or make a complete fuss.

It's magical having a sister-in-law

This bolt from the blue filled me with curiousity,

But I tailored my questions carefully, since my brother was not known for his verbosity .

I asked him what she was like. He paused, and said that she had good legs, could hold a tune and that her voice was solid.

I had no idea what he meant by that, but assumed that it was a compliment and not something horrid.

I decided to press on with the questions, as his description of her was scanty and in no way torrid.

I ventured further and asked him if she was pretty,

He considered for a moment and then replied,

“Well yes, in an odd sort of way.” That was all he would say, which was a pity.

I should mention that my brother was a musician,

Who inhabited a different planet, and was by his own admission,

Of an eccentric disposition.

Although he wrote brilliant music and was a gifted intellectual,

He wasn’t schooled in home care, his domestic skills were ineffectual.

That first meeting with Judi went well. I saw what my brother meant by her ‘odd sort of prettiness.’

I noted that she had a beautifully modulated voice, a wonderfully expressive face and an aptitude for wittiness.

And although she was stylish and alluring, she showed a reassuring trace of grittiness.

We hit it off and a friendship ensued that was bolstered by her capacity to drag humour from the darkest situation.

Displaying stoicism, in the face of disappointments, remorse, regrets, heartbreak and tribulation.

Together, we have lived through golden days and carefree years, when our lives appeared to be right on track,

But there have been other, stygian times, when together, we have travelled to hell’s portal and back.

We have known dreadful days, when darkness will not cede to dawn and everything is black.

I know that Judi’s always there for me, fighting my corner and affording completely non judgmental support.

Please don’t think I am making her out to be some kind of saint , ‘cos she ain’t.

But she’s never fallen short.

Maggie Smart

Everyone should have a sister-in-law, Darlin'

Even Stalin