Day 26 - Thankful for My Cousins

Cousins are often the first friends of our lives.... As you grow up, they are still your friends and can sometimes stand in as your brothers and sisters..... I have some of the best cousins in the world! They may not be a part of my daily life, but they are never far from my thoughts ...and memories!!!! ( I have a niece to thank for this entry)

My cousins range from 62 to 28 in age! There are 13 of us on one side of the family and 12 on the other side (counting my 3 brothers and I are in both sets). I am one of the youngest in one set and one of the oldest in the other set.

We all have a footing in El Reno as both of my Grandparents raised their families there. Our families have grown beyond the capacity for hosting sit down meals in each others homes and unfortunately these days the times we do all gather is normally a sad occasion. It has been hard to stay in close contact with all of the cousins but with facebook we can get frequent updates and share in each others lives even while being miles apart. I love seeing pictures of their children and their children’s children. I see reflections of us (from our youth) in these pictures.

I am thankful for such a great group of cousins. I cherish these family bonds and am thankful for each and everyone.

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. ~ Psalm 75:1, NLT