A couple of years ago a branch of my family had a reunion. You see, that side of the family had been estranged since my childhood. My Dad had a difficult time staying on good terms with his sisters. He was a person who took things to heart much too readily and forgave begrudgingly. This made it very difficult to keep the family together. The end result was that I hadn’t seen these cousins in decades.
I think my appearance was rather surprising to them considering our parents’ bumpy history. Truth be told, none of us could remember what caused the last rift of many. At any rate, I was really happy to reunite with my own flesh and blood.
Four of us decided to meet for lunch to share pictures and stories. If you look at the pic above, you will see Maggie, me, Issy, and Helen. Come to find out, my cousin Helen wanted to know where our grandparents were buried. Maggie and Issy didn’t know, but I did! Off we went in search of our ancestors.
In spite of the fact that I hadn’t been there in decades, I was able to locate the graves fairly quickly. As luck would have it, those graves were right near the road and the four of us gathered there and started to tell family stories. Some of these stories were hilarious and we were having a great time chuckling together. Then we observed that as the cars were going by, people were staring at us.
It’s not often that you see people standing in a graveyard giggling! Once that realization hit us, we couldn’t help it, we started to laugh uproariously and that made the reactions of the passing motorists even worse! We decided that the four of us would stay in touch and get together on a regular basis. We dubbed ourselves The Madcap Cousins, and I’m sure we have many adventures ahead of us.
I’m not sure what my Dad would have thought about us all getting together. I like to think that he was right there laughing along with us. He had a wicked sense of humor and I think he would have fit right in.
That’s too funny and I can totally see people looking at my sister and doing something like that! Glad you all got together!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope you build very good memories together now you’re reunited. Funny how life can surprise us. I think your dad was there with all of you. I like to think my grandma still watches over me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure she does sweetie. Sometime you’ll have to tell me about her. I bet she was great! I think our merry little band of cousins is going to have a great summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you will. Are the flowers starting to blossom over there? I’ll tell you about her. She was a pearl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Renata, today I saw the first daffodils. There is still a tiny bit of snow here and there, but spring is certainly here.
LikeLike
I liked your story. You have these family reunions in the US. In India, till recently we used to live in a joint family. So we would see cousins and distant cousins whether we like or not. Of late, as employment opportunities are emerging, people move out and live like a nuclear family.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What does it mean, joint family?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Abhiray59, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think he means that grandparents, brother and sisters and all their kids would live together. In years past it was that way here. That’s why you will see houses with 5 or 6 bedrooms. Now they split these beautiful houses up into apartments. Sigh…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joint family means husband wife, kids, grandfather, grandmother, uncles, sometimes their wives and kids.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had read that extended families stayed together in India. I think it used to be that way here, too. It’s a little sad that it’s not that way anymore. But then, I’m an only child and my Mom was an only child so the extended family wouldn’t be all that large!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I get it now, thanks. It’s not that way in Brazil, at least not among people in Rio. It’s quite annoying sometimes because in my family it resulted in nuclear families who only see each other on special dates, holidays and when someone went through surgery. Weird.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s how it is here. We are very lucky that Bill is very close to his brother and his brother’s wife is like the sister I never had. We get together more often than just holidays, it’s really nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That must be awesome. You create real bonds by doing that
LikeLiked by 1 person
For some reason I am only seeing three of us in the picture above, can you see four? I can’t be leaving my cousin Helen out!
LikeLike
Beautiful post 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice that you all got together. As long as you enjoy each other’s company, life’s too short to hold grudges, especially when those grudges were never yours to begin with!
Thank you for visiting my site. Much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thank you for visiting mine. I can’t wait to see what you post next!
LikeLike
Thank you. I don’t post much, really. I stepped away from regular blogging a few months back. Was just taking too much time from my writing. But I post and visit other blogs when I can. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like you had fun.! Can’t wait to read more of your posts. Thank you for the blog follow too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw,thanks! It’s my pleasure. When I saw the title of your blog it was certain that I had to follow!
LikeLike
Thank you!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s certainly the way with family feuds; we end up forgetting why, which is a great thing!
You and your cousins look like fun personified… I just bet you’re all larrikins at heart… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A new word for me! I’d never heard of “larrikins” before. I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an endearing term, here in Australia, for mischievous good hearted folk! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I looked it up, it made me smile. It certainly does describe my cousins!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How about sharing some funny fam stories? :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, I’ll have to remember some of them. I like to do what I call snippets which are a small one or two paragraph post. Maybe I could think of some stories and do some snippets. I appreciate the encouragement!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snippets are fine…sometimes short posts are the best ones, cuz we can use our imagination :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
So amazing blog, it has affected me so much while reading it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so sweet! Thank you for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God bless you and your family as well , wish always to have a healthy life , you are out of kind, I like people like you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like you, too! I wish you and your family the very best. I very much look forward to reading your upcoming posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do I, I can not wait to read more posts of your experience. You look wise and professional in writing technique 🙂😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I don’t know about that. I just have fun! You are so kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👌😊
LikeLiked by 1 person