I just love my cousins. Having been born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and growing up with my cousins was perhaps the best part of my young life.
We were part of a large Italian family. Grandma had 6 kids and then they each had 6 kids. I actually think that was because the adults were creating the perfect scenario of an extended family to continue the family line in the US.
Or
They just didn’t think that at all and the adult females just found themselves pregnant a lot.
Whatever the reason, we, the cousins have always been amazingly close and still are to this day.
Who knew us better than anyone?…our cousins.
Who covered our tracks when we screwed up?…our cousins.
Who went to the Saturday movies every single week and even shared their candy with us?...our cousins.
Who can we call on the phone now and get a quicker response from then our very own kids…our cousins.
We’re all getting older. It’s the reality check that occurs when a birthday comes up and I inquire…you’re how old? that’s not even possible!
In our mind we’re still the kids who kicked around all of Brooklyn, took subways, came in way after dark and had more sleep overs than with anyone else…ok, you get the point.
The other day my phone rang and it was my oldest cousin.
He lives near the cemetery where our elders were buried on Long Island and he stopped by to bring some flowers to Grandma's grave site.
He also decided to check out where my sister's grave was and he called me when he had found it. He asked that we say a prayer together. Can you even imagine? It was one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life.
Then later on we spent some time (two and a half hours in truth) chatting away about this and that and laughing like we were kids again, about all of our antics in Brooklyn.
I love my cousins. I’m so grateful to still have them in my life and continue to know them despite the years and our proximity to each other no longer allows me to visit them more often.
Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist, author, and a fitness instructor who lives in Greene County with her husband Chris and their pup, Lily.
Feel free to give her a call to chat, maybe about your cousins.
518-275-8686 or email pelarsen5@aol.com
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