Cousin Power???

This title probably carries no more meaning than the importance of family. Cousins are one degree removed from being siblings so in many cases, they are close friends. In other instances, they are almost unknown.

 

My immediate family is small—one brother with his family and my two sons. My husband has two sisters, one with two children and consequently, two grandchildren. So my boys have four first cousins and ensuing first cousins once removed (or however you want to describe that relationship).

 

However, my father came from a family of eight so at one point I had eleven first cousins issuing from his side of the family and four first cousins coming from the other side, courtesy of my mother’s only sibling.

 

All these thoughts regarding relational ties occurred to me after a delightful, much appreciated visit from one of my first cousins and her husband at the beginning of August. As we pored over old photographs (some more than 100 years old) that my cousin had brought with her in hopes I might help her identify them, the interweaving of family relationships was brought to the forefront.

 

We found the picture of the Overland car our maternal great-grandmother had won (according to family legend). We also found some photograph postcards that showed our great aunt had spent time in Peoria, IL – so that is no longer a fictional part of the story I’m writing about her.

 

Obviously, the picture poring was fun, as well as useful to me, but the more important aspect of my cousins’ visit was the fact that they cared enough to take the time, spend the money for travel, and brave the possibility of catching a nasty virus to visit a cousin.

 

The “power” of family or community or relationships has always been important, but during this upside-down year of 2020, I believe it’s more important than ever before. The ultimate relater, the One Who created relationships in the first place, is no doubt saddened/pleased/grieved/happy at what we have learned or not learned about relationships this year.

 

So if a cousin or sibling or friend comes to mind, consider that to be a nudge from your Creator to text or call that person, or perhaps even visit. You’ll both be glad you did.