My sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Eligia met and married thirty-eight years ago, he bringing six children into the marriage, she five. When they come together for their Christmas party the rooms are bustling with people: their kids, grand-kids, great grand-kids, always a baby or two, old family friends, aunts and uncles, boyfriends and girlfriends, and outside a goat and three dogs. One happily whips his tail against my leg as I click pictures.