Sundays, Year 3, Week 3

I opened the morning paper this Sunday and found an obituary of one of my cousins, on my mother's side of the family. Memories of him as a child started running through my mind almost like an old, well-loved movie. He was the quieter of a set of twin boys, not as gregarious as his twin, but a sweet kid nonetheless. The twins were a little older than me by a year or so, and were later joined by another brother and a sister. Those days seem so far away, the carefree days of childhood, when the most important thing in our minds was the next game of hide and seek! His mom was my favorite aunt, and she died of a brain tumor when we were in our early teen years, leaving my uncle with 3 boys and a girl to raise. My own family moved to another state pursuing employment, as the coal mines had all closed here in Rock Springs. We all lost touch with each other, the young cousins who had shared a childhood on L Street. The last time I remember seeing him was at his mom's funeral, and we spoke once by phone, many years later. He was a smart man, with a doctorate in education, and once was a dean at the local community college. He and his wife lost a child in infancy, I had never met the child, but my Mama described him as an angel too beautiful for this mortal life. My cousin is the first of my many childhood cousins to leave this mortal life, and the world of education will feel the loss. He made an impression on many young lives, and I'm sorry I lost touch with him and never told him how proud he made me feel. Rest in peace, cousin.

It's been an odd day, sunny for a while, snowing for a while, and now looking like the snow will soon commence. I've been traveling down memory lane, looking at a picture of all the cousins together , so many years ago when the world was simpler and thinking about all the ways in which we change as we age. Now, for instance, I try to keep in touch with family more often than I used to, because as you age the reality that it will all come to an end finally hits you. Youth is blessed with that feeling of invincibility and immortality; Age brings wisdom and a true sense of self undefined by anyone but yourself. I'm not sure which part of life is the best one, but I plan to live each of my days the best way I know how and to let my loved one know just how important they are to me. Sometimes, we don't get a chance to say our goodbyes, but if we keep our friends and family close to our hearts, that loses importance. Life is a work in progress so that is exactly how I plan to proceed with living, one day at a time, the best way I can.

We watched that movie "The Bucket List" about a week ago, and I can honestly say that my life has been pretty fulfilling, not always perfect to be sure, but fulfilling. The old man and I can still laugh at ourselves, even though some days of living are no laughing matter. My extended family, my son and his wife, my grandchildren and their spouses are all living their lives with gusto, are isn't that the way it is meant to be? Life is good, much joy is ours to cherish, and I am thankful for that!

That's it for today, remembering is good, each moment we share makes life even sweeter. Now I have to go give the old man a kiss! Later.