Birthdays, blogs, and blessings

Family is never easy but it certainly is important. Last year was a good wake up call for me in that aspect. Today is my oldest (I like to point that out) cousin's birthday.  She isn't exactly down the street but whether she realizes it or not is a major part and a major blessing in my life. Genes run strong in this family (as does OCD and stubbornness but we'll save those discussions for another day) and I'm proud to share some of these traits with her. She's stronger than she'll ever know and I am blessed to have her in my life. I still remember her trying to teach me to swim in that ever so frigid pool water in the WV mountains when I was the size of a hobbit. I read this quote somewhere 'Cousins are your very first friends.... They are like childhood friends. Nobody will understand the craziness of your family better than your cousins,' and believe me it is so true.