Gathering the Cousins

This proved to be an exciting "nine cousins" reunion.

  I must say, "Being together with cousins is like a warm, cozy quilt wrapped around your heart."

We all have cousins in our individual families. For some folks there are one, two, or many more. There are cousins who mingle together often.  Others meet on special occasions, or perhaps they haven't seen or chatted with each other for a long time.  Cousins are like the branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, but our roots remain as one; we are knitted together.  

Cousins know the same family secrets.

Tell the best family jokes.  

Perhaps they share the same last name.

They might have an identifiable, unique smile. 

And  surprisingly, they could  have similar freckles and laughs.

Often times cousins are the first friends you make, and they're the only friends guaranteed to be there for the rest of your life. I like the saying,"Cousins are connected heart to heart; distance and time can't break them apart."

To stay connected in our busy world takes some doing.  Maybe it will be....

                                            

A family gathering, or an informal lunch date, personal phone call, a letter, message on email, a sincere prayer on a cousin's behalf, or time spent in meditation recalling fond memories connecting you together again.

 What do you do to stay in-touch with your cousins?  

For me, its at the Broadbent's home in Bear Lake; where cousins become best friends  That is where my cousins and I gather once a year for three days...yes, it is a glorious sleepover!  We have enjoyed a tour of Bear Lake and surrounding areas; the gala activities of Raspberry Days; dinner at the Bear Trapper Steakhouse; and a trip to Pickleville to see a delightful community theater; plus "catch up time" regarding our private lives.

There are traditions, like the " Firehouse Burritos Breakfast" that cousin Jim makes, to satisfy our 

morning hunger.  They are the biggest and the best and he takes his culinary art seriously.

All the cousins find it a treat to lounge on the spacious, outside deck, adjacent to the Lake, and watch 

Mother Nature paint a glorious sunset.

 Here we are, "the nine cousins."

Front Row: Joann Bey

Second Row, Steve Broadbent, Julie Broadbent, Ann Castleton, Joyce Burdick, Emma Lu Draper

Back Row: Paul Castleton, Jim Burdick, Bob Draper

Bonding with family is like a kaleidoscope of colorful prisms.  

Each relationship reflecting a spectrum of devoted camaraderie.

Until the next post...know the Lord loves you and your cousins.