3/18/10

Sisters, cousins and friends

I grew up in a very close-knit family. There were four of us, 2 girls and 2 boys. My sister, Rachel and I were best friends. That's us above with Mom. I'm the one on the left. Oh, we had our moments, but for the most part we got along really good. Being just a little over 13 months apart in age (I'm the youngest) created a bond that has withstood the test of time. She is still my best friend and such a special part of my heart. We are separated by over 300 mile, but are bond is heart to heart.
We grew up with cousins that we have also remained close to throughout the years. This is all my grandmother's grandchildren with the exception of two that had not been born yet. We were and have remained so close. I still see them occasionally when I go in to visit. We were cousins and friends. I'm the fourth one from the left on the top row and Rachel is the first one on the left on the bottom row.
One thing about family love, when you grow up in a close loving family like ours was, you pass those beliefs on to your own children. Now I watch as my daughter and nieces have grown up together like me and my sister and cousins did. There is still love and laughter and it is being passed down from generation to generation. This next picture is at my brothers a couple of years ago. That is Diana, my daughter, on the far right side. This is all of my mother's granddaughters. These girls have grown up close and it is fun to watch them pass down the importance of family to their children.
My wish for you today is that your family is happy and healthy and that you too are enjoying the love that passes from generation to generation.