They drive me to school in the morning. Melanie and Bradley, one of my favorite campus couples. I like our morning conversations, always a mix of a load and levity. Sometimes we listen to this same old CD's song, Brad serenades us as we drive. This morning the topic is Melanie's ten year old daughter. Since they have been physically close, the daughter has turned up her nose. "Bradley stinks." "I don't like Brad." At first he brushed them off, but the words hurt like spears to the heart. Melanie pulls up under a tall tree with white flowers and heart shaped leaves. When we get out of the car, I make a Maggieism, laughing, "here we are under a Bradford pear." The putrid flowers, so tall. "But I don't make fruits," says Brad. "But with the help of Melanie," I cheer.

I didn't always like it at first when my brother in law was with my sister. But now, I am glad for the fact. It can be hard for us to grow distanced from our loved ones when a new person comes into the pack. Now I am glad Anna has Mark, and I know I was hurtful to them. From levity comes a fruitful lesson.