The holidays remind me of crowded Sunday afternoons at my grandma’s house. Everyone found somewhere to perch…we never seemed to run out of food…and whether or not you agreed on politics, religion, or rock and roll vs. country this was just a place where you belonged.
My mama was number nine out of twelve, and many of her siblings were in the area, so I had a lot of cousins running about. Once in high school I was driving with a friend and as he was telling me all about how he thought I was related to half the town, a guy just done with a hard day’s work crossed the street in front of us. Smarty pants that he was, he says, “I spose you are related to him too!”.
How was I to know it was my cousin Eric??? 🙂
In college, more than once I ran into my cousin who was several years older…once at the bar where I worked. I happened to be waiting to meet a “date”. He was late. My cousin said, “I think I’ll just wait with you ’til he gets here.”. I really don’t remember how the conversation went when my date arrived, but I remember this double edged sword of warm feelings regarding my cousin’s protective nature and my worry over what might happen to the guy who kept his cousin waiting:)
My children don’t have this…a big clan and that sense of belonging that comes with running into family here and there. No big Sunday gatherings. Sad.
When I go to pick up our Goddaughter, many times I so enjoy grabbing a seat and just visiting. My Goddaughter’s mama has a big family and there are always people around. It feels nice…to sit among family…sometimes even someone else’s.
I hope this holiday season brings joy, peace, memories, and much time sitting with the ones who love you best.