National Cousin’s Day
I like checking out the National calendar days and I just found out today is National Cousin’s Day! Some times when I find it’s a certain day, it brings back memories of days of old. This is one of those days.
When I was young, I remember my mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather and my sisters piling in the car to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins (one girl and two boys). They lived on a big dairy farm and we had so much fun watching the cows come in from the fields and then watching my uncle milk the cows. This was way before milking machines, it was all hands on! I remember climbing up the outside of the silo, looking at the huge work horse through the bars on his window and helping collect the eggs.
They lived in a beautiful farm house where we had to walk through the attached woodshed to get to the outhouse, yes they had to plumbing back then. I remember everyone sitting around the kitchen as my grandmother helped my aunt cook dinner. The adults would eat in the dining room and my sisters and I and three cousins would eat in the kitchen.
I remember taking bags of out grown clothes from my sister to my cousin and getting out grown clothes from my cousin, everyone always had “new clothes” to show off!
My cousin Joy is about my age, she played the flute and piccolo. I played flute and oboe and I remember going to her room and playing our flutes together. I don’t have any photos to share but all these wonderful memories are pictured in my head just is if they happened yesterday.
As time went by, we both got married and Joy and her family moved to Indiana and we moved to South Carolina. I love keeping up with her family by reading Joy’s Christmas letter every year.
Fast forward to 2014 (I think) when my cousin messaged me to say her and hubby were in Myrtle Beach! After about 30 years we had gotten back together to bring back some memories. It was so great seeing her again.
But our visits weren’t over, in 2016 they were passing through Myrtle Beach again and this trip my younger sister was in town so we had a mini reunion with Joy, Nancy and myself.
Once again as Joy and her hubby were heading to Florida they stopped by for more memories. How I loved seeing Joy again after all these years and holding on to the wonderful memories of when we were just little kids.
I’m so happy that Joy and I rekindled our memories even though it had been over 30 years. The memories of our loved ones stay with us forever even if we don’t see them often. But seeing them again is so special, especially when Joy surprised us at our 50th wedding anniversary when we renewed our vows at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic church, the same church we were married in on July 29, 1967 in Schenectady New York.
Do you check on the National Calendar days and find memories lurking in them? I’m glad I checked and found out it was National Cousin’s Day!
Hello Martha, how wonderful it is to see you so happily surrounded by your family. I have not seen my cousins in about 15 years. I really do miss them and hope that we could reunite one day soon. Thank you for sharing. Sending lots of love.
I’m so glad that Joy happened to be passing through and had time to meet up with us Jaime.
I did not know it was national cousins day. I may have to do a post about it. I love reading about your lovely family Martha. You share such beautiful memories.
There are so many National Days Brenda, I try to check them out but some times they pass me by.
I’m so glad you got to get together with your cousin so often! I rarely see mine. the last time was at my mom’s funeral. Love your pictures!
So many memories were brought back when I met her again Jeanine.
Looks like Joy got her name for a reason! I loved reading about your summer memories from back then! It’s great for kids to learn where eggs and milk come from, and that it takes hard work and dedication from a lot of animals and people to have these products in your fridge.
In the picture you’re wearing the plaid shirt I can see the two of you as young girls, always something to chat and laugh about 🙂
I always learn about “national chocolate cake day” and the like when / after people post about it.
You are so right Tamara, we always had something to talk about or play our musical instruments. Meeting Joy on these occasions brought back so many wonderful memories and yes Joy is full of joy!
How lovely. I have many cousins that I haven’t seen in years. Right before the Pandemic as I was returning home from Ashville, NC. I stopped in Alabama and spent a few hours with a cousin I had not seen in 30+ years. It was a beautiful reunion, simple but so lovely. I will never forget that time.
Have a lovely Monday, Martha!
Cindy Rae
That’s how our met up was also Cindy. It was short but so sweet to be able to take about all the memories of the past.
I love this. I have some cousins that I grew up with (as I am an only child). Most of them are still in the same area, I am the only one that has left town. We really need to do a better job getting together. I appreciate that you and your cousin are actively making the effort to see each other!
Have a great day!
The best was when Joy and her husband surprised us at our 50th wedding anniversary Dominique. They came from Illinois to New York for this happy occasion.
I have a great relationship with one of my cousins. But, I don’t participate in national cousin’s day.
I didn’t even realize there was a National cousin day Roy! Another Hallmark moment! LOL
Martha, what a joy that you got to visit with Joy in person! I have a group of cousins I’m very friendly with. When I went to Delaware to inter my mother’s ashes, ALL FOUR cousins drove up from Virginia to be with me and honor my mother! So, as midlife grownups we became friends. Great stuff! <3
How wonderful that all four cousins met together to honor your mom Kebba. I think as we get older our family does become more important and more like friends.