Since November is ( for those who live in the U.S.) the month of Thanksgiving, I want to take the next three weeks to make daily posts about things I am grateful for. There was an old hymn I heard growing up called “Count your blessings”. So since I believe gratitude begets blessings, (and we could use a little more of that,) Come with me as we go on this journey of thankfulness.
Given the fact that i have just one brother and no sisters, people seem surprised that I have so many cousins. My dad and mom both came from large families (my Dad has 4 brothers and 3 sisters and my mom has 3 brothers and two sisters). I counted up one time and between both sides of my family, I have 48 cousins and then if you consider spouses (and a couple former spouses) as cousins as well (which I do) and then factor in their children. Many of which are now young adults or soon will be then the number explodes to over 120.
Not only are they large in number but a huge diversity of opinions, political and social and spiritual viewpoints as well. We are definitely not a monolithic group and that is one of our strengths. My Mom’s side has a yearly reunion and my Dad’s side has one every other year or so. My family on my dad’s side is spread out all over while my mom’s side tends to congregate in the Midwest and Texas mostly.
Thank you to all my warm, thoughtful, eclectic and delightfully eccentric Aunts, Uncles cousins, “brothers from another mother” and “Sisters from another Mister” You are a true source of wealth and I am grateful to each and every one.
Happy Thanksgiving 🍽🍁🦃