My New Family Christmas

Somebody said a long time ago Christmas is for families. Now I got the picture myself. I’m in what I call a state of “macromony” because I got married this year and I met my wife in the macaroni serving line at Full Time Gospel Church. 
Roweena and I had our wedding in the summertime with a reception at the Moose House that went on until the wee hours. The Four Caps entertained, so it was a fine time. Folks from the laundromat where I am now employed came and found out I can dance like a young man when I hear Otis Redding.
It’s been a good year for this married man. The laundromat boss sent me to become certified on fixing the Dexter Thoroughbred 900 washers which has given me a new skill. I meet a lot of nice folks while cleaning out lint screens and filling up the change-giving machine. I might do a little singing most days which seems to send folks on their way with a smile.
My sister’s little child is staying with us while her mother is occupied elsewhere for a couple of more years. We aim to bring her up right, so she goes to Sunday school and we don’t let her watch trash on the TV. Shame on Steve Harvey for making the Family Feud dirty.
For the third year, I’m playing sax at the church Christmas program. This year I’m doing a medley of “I Told It on the Mountain” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine
I see folks at the laundromat that look down in the mouth. People ask me why I’m happy when I ain’t got two nickels to rub together. The fact is I got enough. I’m not hungry, and I got my family life and my time down at the church house.
My wife will say to me “Don’t you come in this house with that look on your face.” I learned to cheer up real quick.
I keep looking up because if you look down, all you see is your old shoes Merry Christmas and make yourself a Happy New Year.
Porter writes from Woodbine.