Family Mission Statement Our family mission statement is etched into the walls of the living room,
A space that once held the maximum number of library books legally allowed to be checked out at any given time,
A nook that has a smallish TV without a wall mount because we'd rather lay horizontally in the corner of the sectional and nap,
A room that once housed calico critters and legos and barbies and baskets under the buffet hutch.
This says that we play well with each other.
Our family mission statement is in the elephant shower curtain in the hall bathroom adorned by teal walls.
A weathered tree painting with dusty tissue cherry blossoms rests on the shelf above the toilet.
Charlie made this when she was just four years old and it's a national treasure.
The bathroom says bloom where you're planted.
There's no rush.
We will protect you like an elephant herd.
And if you don't believe us,
Look at all of those who stand beside,
Behind and in front of us.
Our family mission statement is in the floral contact paper that was laid inside the kitchen cabinets 25 years ago,
Right after Tom and I got married,
And it hasn't been cleaned since.
Please don't look too closely.
You may find brown tufts of fluff from our first dog,
Bear,
Who crossed the Rainbow Bridge 14 years ago.
Peeling laminate on the cupboards,
Holding mason jars as glasses,
Says that one day we'll have nice things,
But that we would rather spend our time around the kitchen table together than cleaning a single thing.
Our family mission statement says sit,
Take a load off and relax.
We have a weighted blanket if you need it.
Let us bring you a beverage and a snack.
The anti-gravity chair is calling you.
Rest easy in the shade while looking up at the crepe myrtle beginning to burst with pink flowers.
If you close your eyes,
The wind will show up to remind you there's plenty of time.
You are divine perfection.
We love you just as you are.
That's what our family mission statement says.
