This past July some of my extended family moved in with us. Well sort of. We actually have a house with separate living areas so it’s more like living next door in an apartment complex rather than in the same house. This is a new experience for me after years of living in various places far from family.

          My cousin and I grew up together. She lived with us a few times and I lived with her family once. Our moms (both deceased) were close. In fact, when my aunt moved four states away, my mom convinced my dad he really did want to live there, too. Our families we spent lots of holidays, vacations and regular days together. One winter when a blizzard was expected, we went to visit them just in time to be stranded there for several days. So while technically we’re cousins, we think of ourselves as sisters.

          Having her so close now, after years of living as much as a half a world away, is great. We have our own spaces and sometimes a couple of days can actually go by and we not even see each other, but most days we at least have a brief visit on the porch. (I’ve never sat out on my front porch as much as I have this year.) And when one of us needs a cup of milk or an onion or anything else, we have a neighbor to ask.

          So I today I am thankful for family living nearby.