Cousins....

Who'da thunk it? There is a 4 year, 6 year, 7 year gap between me and my cousins. There's a 7 year gap between my brother and I and a 9 year gap between his wife and I. But, guess what? Age totally doesn't matter. We are all basically in the same place. We all have at least a spouse or fiance, and all but 2 couples have children. Those of us that have children, have children who are close in age to each other.

I never dreamed back when I was in high school that my cousins who were 12-14 at the time would ever have anything in common with me. Never mind their younger brothers, or heaven forbid--my own brother. But, whenever those cousins come out this way, we have the BEST time! Talking for hours, playing dominoes.... It's so much fun. I love them all so much.

I have to thank my parents, though, for initiating contact. Sometimes it's easier to "visit" the aunt/uncle rather than the cousins. I know I have a hard time initiating contact with cousins for some silly reason. But, because of the get-togethers my parents have planned when they are here, my cousins and I (and my family) are forging a bond that will last long after our parents are gone.