“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”
My mother would call today a pretty day. It’s filled with sunshine and birds and the bluest of skies. I keep going out on the deck to take in the morning. On days like today, Coffee takes forever to finish.
I used to be the oldest grandchild. Now, I’m the oldest cousin. While my sisters are close to the cousins, I’m not. Age is mostly the reason as I am old enough to be the parent of many of them. We don’t see each other often. I don’t get up there much, and they never get down here. Amazingly, though, we share a lot in common. We are a family of huggers. All of my cousins are huggers. Even my nephews are. A kiss on the cheek is always part of our hugging. I like that about my family. We are all Christmas fiends. We love every part of Christmas. It was handed down to us from each of our parents. Baseball and the Red Sox are another passion we share. Some of my cousins and I are even going to Colorado in June to watch the Sox play the Rockies. We have it all planned. We’re going to one game then getting together for huge parties to watch the rest. My sister’s house will be family central. Two of her kids have taken the whole week off from work. We’ll be loud. We always are. Parties are part of our genetic make-up, and we love to give them. One cousin always hosts the special parties, the ones that are milestones. I never miss those. It gives me a chance to celebrate and to catch up with everyone. We also share a love of music though our tastes vary greatly. We do part company at karaoke. They love it. I don’t. They get up and sing. I can’t carry a note. We love food. The most famous family dish is my uncle’s sausage cattiatore, and it passes from generation to generation. We all make it. Our parties are noted for groaning tables.
My age and experiences may be far different than those of any of my cousins, but I know when we get together, no matter how long since I last saw them, they’ll be glad to see me, and I’ll get lots of hugs.
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April 12, 2010 at 11:12 am
The day is fantastic over here. Sunshine, blue sky and a nice weak wind. I´ve been out most of the day.
When thinking of my family we are much the same at Yours, exept for one part. We don´t like ach other especially much 🙂 🙂 But we are loud and we are huggers. Food is something else we have in common (my oldest brother became a fantastic chef when he lived in Paris for five years), but we really don´t want to meet unnecessary 🙂 🙂
Most of the time when we meet we argue 🙂 and to be honest, I think I´m the only one that still can talk to every one else. So I´ve been the one people call to by phone (that´s ok) so I can spread the news of what has happened to the others.
The only one I have daily contact with is my oldest brother and we to have lots of fun. He is ten years older than me and nowdays that´s nothing, but when I was Young it was a hughe gap. He grew up at my grandparents and I didn´t realise he was my brother until I was ten years old 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a great day now!
Christer.
April 12, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Christer,
I was out on the deck on and off all day and also did a few errands. It was lovely until late afternoon when the sun disappeared. I’m glad you’re finally getting warm weather.
Yup, we’re a loud group. There are a lot of us. My mother was one of 8 children so there are plenty of cousins.
I don’t remember any arguments, but I did hear of 1 fight, about 40 years ago when a couple of cousins beat on each other. I missed it!
April 12, 2010 at 1:39 pm
We are now the oldest generation – didn’t expect to get there, but here we are. I look back at those boyhood Christmas’and except my sisters, they are all gone.
Whether by deliberate design or not, I work very hard to maintain those cousins and friends that have been part of the journey. Saturday morning is my time each week to pick up the phone and call London, or Basel or Victoria.
My side of the family are not huggers – probably because we are English :-), but my wife’s side sure makes up for that. We do a good job for Birthdays and anniversaries, but like you it is Christmas.
April 12, 2010 at 6:46 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I remember the aunts: Aunty Clara and Aunty Madeline, both my mother’s aunts, my grandmother’s sisters. They were alive until I was in college. Aunty Madeline played the piano and everyone sang along at parties. My parents and aunts and uncles then became the older generation. Only two of my uncles are left.
My sisters and I had this discussion a while back-how we are the old generation now. My youngest sister is a grandparent, and that still blows my mind.
Christmas is huge for the whole family. The countdown begins early. We can’t it we always say-it’s in the genes!
April 12, 2010 at 2:52 pm
best definition of ‘people who love you’ yet:”but I know when we get together, no matter how long since I last saw them, they’ll be glad to see me, and I’ll get lots of hugs.”
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
April 12, 2010 at 6:48 pm
splendid,
The cousins always make me feel that they’re so glad to see me. They may not be so close to me as they are to my sisters, but their hugs are just tight.
April 12, 2010 at 4:58 pm
It’s great to be one of the cousins! Even though my own nuclear family fell apart I always had family. Maybe after a week in Colorado you’ll feel closer to the cousins. Sounds like fun. I am not a baseball fan. Now if it was a football week…I’d be there!
OH, and karaoke. I also inherited your lack of tune carrying. But I force the cousins to endure me. I try to make it brief. After a few drinks, it’s all good.
Love you!
April 12, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Erin,
It’s just that I so seldom see the crowd. I don’t get up there much, and they never come down here. We’ll have a good time in Colorado. I have no doubt about that. They, however, will probably not hit the Armadillo. I need you for that!!
I figure it takes more than a few drinks for me to sound good!!
Love you too, Erin!!
April 13, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Kat,
You must know that Gallaghers rarely leave their ten mile radius. They’re like Hobbits. I have to trek down to visit or I’d never see them either. My brother will make the journey but he’s about it.
Oh, the Armadillo! I’ll be with you in spirit.
April 14, 2010 at 11:08 am
Link for the Armadillo (you can also fan them on Facebook) http://brassarmadillo.com/denver
April 12, 2010 at 6:18 pm
You could probably bag another book publishing Christer’s comments to your writings. I think he has a way with words. But why am I always laughing? It is rather funny to read about his dysfunctional family after reading how fortunate you are to have hugs and kisses from yours. Oh well, count me in on the hugs and kisses too. And I always made it home for Christmas. !!
April 12, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Z&Me,
Christer’s family always makes me chuckle a bit, and he’s so good about it. I’m glad he has a brother with whom he’s close.
We’re both fortunate on the hugs and kisses. Last week, on trivia night, before I left, my two nephews each gave me bear hugs and a kiss on the cheek. I loved that!
Other than Ghana, I always made it home for Christmas too.
April 13, 2010 at 12:28 am
I just found you again. I had been thinking about a mystery novel called The Case of the Disappearing Blogger.
April 13, 2010 at 10:54 am
Bob,
It sounds like a Nancy Drew or a Perry Mason novel.
The detective would soon find that the perpetrator had thought the blogger had been slain, done in, offed, but no, she riose again!!!