cousins

Remember that one time you two cheated during Phase 10 so I lost every game? 

Every day that week? 

Me too...

Good thing I still love you two <3

Remember the magic show we put on when we were 10ish in my living room?

For all of our aunts and uncles?

And we thought we were so cool.

Remember that triple date we went on the weekend of another cousin's wedding?

Where we played Sardines in the church building?

And one couple hid under the stage among chairs?

Let's do that again. Our dates are way better this time around.

I love thinking back on the memories of younger years. Especially those shared with family. Above are just three of the many random memories I have with two particular cousins. Out of the many, many memories I have with my siblings, other cousins, aunts and uncles, parents, grandparents, on both sides of the family.

One particular memory (which has been reinforced by a wonderful home video filmed by Uncle Chuck in 1989) of cousins happened at our family reunion that year. Our oldest cousin was missing from the spot where we were gathered to take a family photo. Someone had the brilliant idea to count to three and then we would all yell her name. This was more entertaining for us youngsters who were squirmy and fighting over Grandma Jones and who got to sit on her lap. Jenny won. She was only 1 at the time.

"One, two, three." "LIIIISSAAAAA!"

And then again: "One, two, three." "LIIIISSAAAAA!" 

It totally worked. She came, the picture was snapped, and a few cousins walked away on stilts.(Who decided it was a good idea to bring stilts to the beach? I don't know.)

I'm not sure what brought on this reminiscent state of mind today. Perhaps boredom. Perhaps thinking about the past months and the memories that have been made, and the many more I know are coming. As exhausting as life can get, there will be fun along the way. And then when we get bored, or stressed, or overwhelmed, or tired, or whatever, we can think back on all the memories we have already shared with those we love, look on them with fondness, and remember that there are many more memories to be created, many more fun times ahead, and endless days and nights to hold magic shows, play Sardines, and cheat in Phase 10. Or maybe just play it...