Gathering Reams of Space and Time

My cousin and his wife and kids are visiting from Florida.

It's funny, but as soon as my brother and I get together with this certain cousin, we all turn into 12 year old kids, goofing around and feeling giddy and quoting a lot of old "had to be there" kind of jokes. My cousin is, by far, just one of the funniest people on the face of the Earth, but he's one of those blessed people that doesn't TRY to be funny. He just is.

Anyway, he's all grown up now like us, has a couple of kids that MY kids just adore. His daughter is seven and his son is four.....just like my two (only opposite). So, they're all getting along swimmingly, which is nice to see.

This cousin and his brother, and my brother and I all grew up together in the good old days. We lived right next door to each other, and spent every day together. Playing, riding bikes, catching frogs and turtles....summer was the best. There were long, hot days spent exploring. Sprinklers to run through. Fireflies to catch. Trees to climb. Even after they moved to Florida we stayed close. There were frequent visits and they were always here for Christmas and New Years, so it wasn't like we grew apart. It was just the opposite actually. The four of us were as close as could be. My other cousin is the same age as me, only a few months older, which is something he's always held over my head in good humor. I talk to him on the phone now and then, as he doesn't get to visit (health problems) and when we do, it's like he's sitting here in the room with me. Good stuff, that.

So, they'll be here for two weeks, in which time we have lots of fun things planned. It's good that all the kids are off from school now, so there's no pressure of having to be home for the bus and all that jazz. Just carefree summer days. I love this time of year anyway, but having them here is a bonus. Now, we'll kick back and watch our kids climb the trees, and catch the fireflies and frogs.

Hopefully, it's something that will bond them for life, just like it did us.