Meet my in-laws — not the stereotype
When I was growing up there was a running joke among comedians about how awful their inlaws were, especially their mothers-in-law. Not knowing any better, I took this as a true fact and after I got a bit older, I had some friends who got married and sure enough, they married into a mess. All this solidified the myth for me that all inlaws are bad and there will be nothing but conflict with them after you marry. Boy was I wrong. I’ll start by saying this: If a marriage is a gamble, I hit the jackpot. My wife is still putting up with me after almost 30 years of having me on the Alan Shoalmire Improvement Project, despite the marginal gains that have been made. That being said, her parents are absolutely wonderful human beings.
My wife’s mom Cheryl is just about the best person you will ever meet. She is caring, loving, empathetic, sympathetic, encouraging, and just all-around awesome. She grew up in Lubbock but has lived in south Louisiana for most of her life. That’s where she learned to be a fantastic Cajun cook. Trust me, you will never leave her house hungry. You might even gain a few pounds. Cheryl worked at a blood bank as a phlebotomist and later as a supervisor for 30 years, “retired”, then went to work as an epidemiologist for another 20 years and retired again. While she was doing all of this, she volunteered to serve the homeless population of Lafayette, Louisiana and has been a member of her church choir for decades.
Jimmy, my father-inlaw, is also a wonderful, wonderful man. He doesn’t know this, but I have always looked up to him as a father figure. My Dad passed away when I was 14, and as a result strong male role models were few and far between for me. Again – I hit the jackpot here, too. Jimmy is what you would call a “man’s man.” He checks all the boxes: college football star, football coach, hunter, fisherman, golfer – you name it and he has probably done it – and done it better than you. Besides being a “tough guy”, he has his soft side too – mainly in the form of his grandkids. They can do no wrong and the love between them is not only visible, but everlasting.
I don’t know how many times this happens during the week, but when my wife and I visit her parents, the house soon fills with kids, brothers and sisters, their spouses, friends, and of course – grandkids. The main attraction is Cheryl’s cooking. She really loves to cook, and it shows. I’ve tried to help her a few times, but I just get in the way. After we visit with each other for a while and eat dinner, it’s game time and the name of the game is Trivia. We divide up into 2 teams: the boys against the girls. These are often heated matches, but a certain group almost always wins (hint – my team!). It’s all in good fun and from time to time while we’re playing I keep thinking – Man! I really hit the jackpot here! Everyone gets along so well. There’s no drama, no fights, no grudges or hard feelings – just plain old family togetherness. Does it get any better than this? I don’t think so. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The column represents the thoughts and opinions of Alan Shoalmire. Opinion columns are NOT the opinion of the Navasota Examiner.
Alan Shoalmire is a resident in Grimes County and the owner of Grill Sergeant Hotdogs and submits a column to the Navasota Examiner every other week.
Off the Grill