Cousins

When we unpacked after our family rendezvous, we found a belt that belonged to a cousin. It got me thinking about this summer. What a gift the three weeks at Mom and Dad's were! The first week was a bit sticky as everyone tried to figure out how six kids and three parents and two grandparents would manage to live in one house without driving each other crazy. Beth and I were too hard on Mom about healthy eating (sorry again, Mom), and the kids were so excited to see each other that they went a little crazy.


Fourth of July

But as the excitement and newness wore off, something amazing happened. Somewhere amid the lightning bug catching, frozen yogurt eating, bike riding, farmers' marketing, swimming, field tripping, and storytelling, bonds of true friendship solidified.


Frozen custard

On one of our last evenings together, Beth and I were standing together near our toddlers in the baby pool and looking over at the big pool where the older kids were jumping off the diving board into the deep end. They were having a marvelous time, each acting according to his or her comfort level. The Josephs were hanging out on the side of the pool. Katie was diving--her first time, and Ben was gleefully jumping off the board.

Beth said, "I think we will always look back on this as a golden summer."

She's right. That evening is one of the many moments from our visit that I want to hold forever in my heart.

Like the belt mixed into Joseph's suitcase, our lives and hearts were mixed together during those three weeks. The belt has been returned to its proper home, but I pray that our hearts will remain entangled forever.

cousins=friends

Thank you to t for the photos.