Cousins

I disappeared off the grid because I hurt my shoulder....how? Well, let's just say that the wood stairs were not kind to me.  I'm ready to be done with the sling and over the inability to fully use both hands.  With all of that being said, I'm BACK!

Today I'm pondering cousins.  They are the first real friends I think most people ever have.  I was fortunate enough to have a cousin that was just two months older than me in age that grew up a few blocks away.  All said, I have a lot of cousins and a good portion of my cousins now have children of their own.  Some I don't keep in touch with much (as with other members of my family) and some I talk to nearly as often as I talk to my dad.  I find that getting older has given me perspective.

I have a soft spot in my heart for some of my cousins, in particular.  So without naming names, here goes...

My Big Mouth New Englander cousin- I actually say big mouth in a positive way.  She's an amazing woman.  She will defend you til the death but she will also tell you that you're being an asshole if you are.  She's incredibly strong and independent and I've looked up to her since I was a kid (she's a bit older).

My Car Nut Cousin Ironically he and I weren't very close growing up.  He was a bit older and mostly "too cool" for me.  As we've gotten older and life has happened, we've actually gotten  bit closer and he is DEFINITELY one of my favorites.  He accepts me exactly as I am and I love him to pieces.

My "Baby" Cousin  Okay, he's not THAT much younger than me (though he swears I babysat him as a kid....which I very well could have. LOL)  but I'll always think of him as my baby cousin.  I love him to pieces.  He is literally the sweetest, most awesome "baby" cousin a girl could ask for.

and finally....

My adopted cousin My "adopted" family is just as much family to me as my biological family is (if not more, in some cases).  My favorite adopted cousin just had her third baby (stairstep kids like mine) and we talk all the time.  She swears she looks up to me for parenting advice and I love her kids like my own.  She's WONDERFUL!

I can only hope that my kids appreciate their cousins as much as I appreciate mine.