Mothers-in-law, from the Outlaw's Perspective

Allow me to begin by sharing this joke from Basic Jokes:

During their vacation and while they were visiting Jerusalam, George's mother-in-law died.

With death certificates in hand, George went to the American Consulate Office to make arrangements to send the body back to the states for proper burial.

The Consul, after hearing of the death of the mother-in-law told George that the sending of a body back to the states for burial is very, very expensive. It could cost as much as $5,000.00.

The Consul continues, in most cases the person responsible for the remains normally decides to bury the body here. This would only cost $150.00.

George thinks for some time and answers, "I don't care how much it will cost to send the body back; that's what I want to do."

The Consul, after hearing this, says, "You must have loved your mother-in-law very much considering the difference in price."

"No, it's not that," says George. "You see, I know of a case years ago of a person that was buried here in Jerusalem. On the third day he arose from the dead! I just can't take that chance."

I don't know what it is about mothers-in-law, but they have long been the staple of stale late-night comedy and furtive, whispered conferences among married men since time immemorial. Happily, this is not the case with my mother-in-law, Mama Dodie. For most married men, meeting up with their mother-in-law is normally accompanied with dread. For me, meeting up with Mama Dodie is an occasion that is celebrated with a joyful enthusiasm Christians normally reserve for recalling Christ's resurrection.

Right now, she's in Houston assisting in the care of Ate Consuelo, and we miss her terribly. Odd sentiments, coming from a son-in-law, but then she'd be the first to agree that I'm rather odd to begin with. See you soon, Mima!