Oh, What a Wonderful World!

This weekend I went to my cousin's wedding. In Canada. It was far, far, far too long a drive for much, much, much too short of a visit. But if I had to go twice as far for half the visit? I would do it without a second of hesitation. Shayna was 14 years old when she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. And this weekend I watched her walk down the aisle as a bride herself. My children danced and danced until almost 1:00 in the morning with cousins they had never met before and cousins they adore. I caught up with family I haven't seen in far too long. The timing was not good, the drive was not easy, but none of that matters. Family matters. They ground me. They remind me where I come from. They remind me what is important. They are truly the greatest gift I can give my children. They share stories of those I don't remember to keep them alive, they share stories about grandparents and aunt and uncles when they were younger that make us laugh until our sides hurt. When I am with them, it feels like nothing else in the world. They are a gift, and a blessing, and although I don't see them often enough, don't talk to them as much as I should, they are always with me. I carry them in my heart, every day. This weekend, I got to share that with my girls. And since I am not a selfish person, (well, not too selfish) I will share just a little with you.

My mom with my cousin, Eric: AKA: Last-Minute-Lambert!

Aunt Gloria: Sunglasses Thief or Stroke Victim?
Erin & Haley with cousins Sherry & Liz.
My beautiful cousin Shayna and her new husband J. with all our family.