The Comfort of Cousins

Some people say that your cousins are your first friends.  Well, that was certainly true when I was growing up.  The ritual of going to Grandma's house every Sunday for dinner afforded all us cousins the opportunity to really and truly grow up with each other.

Things changed when Grandma died.  The family no longer met up for weekly dinners.  But those roots were firmly planted and stayed strong throughout the years.  We've met up for each other's weddings and all the funerals of our elderly loved ones.  We are now at the next stage of our lives - WE are the "elderly" ones.  We are now going to the wedding of each other's children!  Where did the time go???

I recently returned from a trip to Chicago where 3 of us cousins treated ourselves to a visit for no apparent reason (no wedding, no funeral, no graduation, etc.)  We spent 4 days, talking and laughing!   We woke up early each day and went to bed late each night.  There was always something to talk about, to catch up on.  It was truly amazing that even though we do not see each other often, there was no distance between us. 
There are no words to describe the comfort and security of being with these women.  We share history and DNA!  No subject was taboo.  The unconditional love was like a roaring fire on a cold Winter's night.

We will all continue to gather for weddings and funerals, but I will always treasure the 4 days of uninterrupted visiting with my roots.