Crazy cuzins

The Princess daughter couldn’t sleep last night. We haven’t experienced this level of anticipation excitement since the jolly old elf made his appearance last winter. Cousins are coming today.

There are all kinds of plans – real or imagined – for these cousins. Of course, they will only be here 48 hours, but surely you can attend a professional baseball game, go swimming three or four times at several different pools, do every craft in the craftbook, buy every item in the Webkinz store, watch every show on Noggin, and play in the backyard in that amount of time. That’s, of course, if you don’t sleep. Which, apparently, is the anticipated outlook.

I remember waiting on the curb ALL day for my cousins to drive up. How long can it take to drive from Tennessee to New Jersey, anyway? Two of my fondest memories are the two summers I spent with cousins. And the antics of my curly red-headed cousin has provided hours of hilarious stories at family get-togethers over the past 30 years.

It reminds me of a cousin who has shared the experience of a miracle child; who makes me laugh; who inspires me with reminders of God’s character and promises; whom I never have enough time with when we visit the ivy house.

"Sometimes I wish we could go back to our childhood days. Yet here we are, both of us grown, with busy lives and out on our own. Things change, but you'll always be my cousin, my friend, and loved by me."