I know there are plenty of folks who wouldn't recognize their cousins if they passed them on the street. I feel sorry for them.
Some people have great hair or can do long division in their heads. I won the cousin lottery.
A couple things this week reminded me to revel in my riches.
I could feel the hostess watching me as I paced in smiling anticipation of my lunch with Bernie on Thursday. He hugged me when he got there and we found our table with me chattering away about the latest and greatest. The time flew by. The hostess was at the register as we stood there arguing about who would pick up the bill. I told her my cousin was not allowed to pay.
"You guys are cousins?" she said incredulously.
Apparently she didn't know that sometimes having lunch with your cousin is the best way to get through a bad day.
Poor kid.
I drove out to Akron Friday night to sit across Cheryl's kitchen table drinking wine, eating Fritos and solving the world's problems. We had so much to talk about that we had to create a running "on deck" list of topics. Some people in my office think I'm reserved - my cousins know better.
I got a piece of wonderful news yesterday. Initially, I could only tell people I could trust completely.
There were nine names on the list - a spouse, a friend, a daughter, a brother, a sister-in-law - and four cousins.
Their response was instant shared excitement and encouragement.
I went to a educational seminar at lunch today. The speakers were from a law enforcement agency where another of my cousins work. She'd been involved in the topic being discussed, so I introduced myself to one of the speakers afterwards by claiming my tie to her.
His face lit up with recognition. He mentioned immediately that she's amazing.
Of course she is.
She's my cousin.


Copyright 2007 Judi Griggs