Cousins Close By

 My cousin Spencer and his wife Suzy moved to Maryland this summer and this weekend we made the short trek to welcome them to the East Coast. It was a fast reunion, just a few hours long, just enough time for a warm, delicious Suzy-cooked dinner and dessert.

I don't think I've spent much time with Spencer since I left for college eighteen years ago, and before that our families only lived in the same town for eight years. During that time he was like another little brother, so this felt like something a little more than a meet-up with a disconnected cousin.

He is leading such a great life, this cousin of mine. He is honest and hard-working. He is kind and good to his wife and kids. He makes time for visitors on his one night off this week. He has travelled from our home state of California to Utah, Argentina, Ohio, Japan, and beyond, but he still loves the home is making for his family. I am inspired by his example. I know he would think I'm making too big of a deal of this, but his ordinary integrity was impressive.

Our kids went right to work investigating their treasures, and Spencer's kids were willing to share their toys and tricks. There was such a happy, family-dinner feeling, and I was surprised when I realized that it was 9:00 p.m. and well past everyone's bedtime.

 This is the closest we've lived to family in our thirteen years of marriage, and they are only about two hours away depending on traffic. I am really good at adopting friends to be my family wherever we live, but having blood relatives seems like a special bonus. I have a feeling good things will come of this. I'm already coming up with a plan for coaxing them in our direction.

I don't think it will take much to convince these two to be buddies, but I heard them making plans for the next time we are together. This time the highlight was the blue eyeshadow, of course.

As we drove away that night, I thought about the family heritage Spencer and I share, the foundation of faith and family togetherness we have in common. I thought of my Grandma Grace who was undoubtedly observing me bounce Spencer's baby and listening to us catch up as adults with dinner plates on our laps on the couch. I am sure she is proud of the seeds she planted, but I know others planted such seeds before she did so two generations ago. I hope Spencer and I and all the rest of us are tending to the traditions they sacrificed to establish and build.