Then and Now

Growing up, we lived (for five years) an hour and fifteen minutes from my mom's sister and her family, but we only saw our cousins a few times a year. It was always a big production, and usually for an occasion--Christmas, a First Communion, etc. Sometimes we'd spend the night.

As young adults, my sisters and I marveled over that bit of family history. Seventy-five minutes was NOTHING. Driving was NO BIG DEAL. What was with those grown-ups of long ago?

Now I live an hour from one of MY sisters. Visiting is usually a big production which includes multiple calendar negotiations and rush hour planning, plus a sleepover to make the driving "worth it." The cousins get together more than a few times a year only because my sister and I are consciously working to make it so.

The more things change...

The Way of the World

My mom and aunt call each other 'ster.

My sisters and I made fun of them for years.

Now we call each other 'ster.