Cousins and More Cousins

I have early childhood memories of gatherings at grandma’s house where a multitude of baby boomer cousins played on the front steps.  In the decades since, I have had many opportunities to study cousin relationships (meaning I have talked to people who have cousins.) I have concluded that these relationships are always a source of stories.

I had some cousin confusions with Aunts Jackie and Tila. At a tender age I discovered they were not my aunts, but that Jackie was Daddy’s cousin on his mother’s side and Tila was married to cousin Willie from his father’s side.

One of today’s photos shows my grandparents in 1958 with grandchildren. Daddy and his four sisters managed to produce 24 first cousins.  My four aunts  will review the accuracy of that number.

One of those cousins graduated the same year as I did and we double-dated for prom wearing matching formals - which others may have judged fashion disaster but we considered sassy.

That cousin was maid of honor at my wedding while two other cousins were toddlers in matching dresses. My pre-teen cousins commented that Martin looked like Bobby Sherman (a heart throb of our era).

My children and grandchildren also have cousin stories. (Prepare to be impressed with my use of the formal cousin nomenclature.)

Stephanie and Jennifer started kindergarten and graduated from high school with first cousins once removed.

I learned that cousins mattered more than aunts when I knelt in the grass with arms outstretched and my young nephews ran past me to tackle cousin Ben.

Stephanie made a cute Halloween onesie when first cousin Olivia was born and it was used as a decoration for Olivia’s baby shower when first cousin once removed, Evie, was born.

Savana was college roommates with her third cousin once removed.

When Jennette and Geordan came along, my older grandchildren were already tweens and teens. One of Jennette’s first words was “cousins.” 

When Sydnie left for college, she gave her Woody doll to Jennette. Yes, we cried.

Last fall, Sara and the kids were binge watching Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, an animated remake of a spy show with geography lessons. We used this theme for a Covid-safe Halloween.

Although Savana and Lucas were living in Louisiana, thanks to the magic of technology they were able to play the roles of Carmen and her tech guru, Player. Jennette and Geordan were surprised when they were asked to help Carmen solve the mystery of the stolen Halloween candy. We put 93 miles on the car that night as we processed to the homes of aunts, uncles and cousins for clues to the mystery.

This month we began our 50^th anniversary celebrations with grandkid weekend at the beach. On his way home, Geordan cried because he already missed his cousins.

Extended family is an important part of my life and I …

Excuse me. That was my phone. Sydnie and Pedro want to schedule a cousin play date with Jennette and Geordan at my house. Gotta run.

  

“Within our family there was no such thing as a person who did not matter. Second cousins thrice removed mattered.” — Shirley Abbotty

 “Cousins are shareholders of my soul.” –  Saswat Padh