family connections

My sister just had a baby...a wonderful, chubby, cuddly love that is bringing so much joy to our family.  He is completely perfect.....

My mom just received news that one of her cousins passed away suddenly...as this was the one cousin in that branch of the family that she kept in touch with, it seems to be a bigger ending....

Growing up, there was my mom, my dad, my sister and me.  We moved a province away from our very large extended family when I was 4.  I guess the 1st couple years were hard...I really don't remember, but for my mom and dad it must have been difficult to be away from the support of family and friends and having to start all over with 2 little girls.

I started to notice we came from a big, boisterous family on one visit back...I believe it was for a wedding.  There were lots of people, all talking and laughing.  Everyone seemed to belong.  Very overwhelming for the shy kid in the corner.  I like to sit back and watch people interact....I am not much of a joiner....I am more of an observer.  My sister fit in right away, but try as hard as everyone did, I was much more comfortable in the corner talking to one person at a time.  And they had to come to me...

As I got older, it was a little easier to enter into a conversation...or even start one myself.  I started to learn more about this family that I am a part of....I have a cousin that is shy like me, an aunt that is a wonderful writer, an uncle that kept a picture of me from when I was 3, and everyone loved me. 

Now more of the family has spread out....California, England, Saskatchewan...keeping in touch seems to be more important now, and yet with the way we are all so busy, seems to be one of the hardest things to do.  I guess this is my way of reaching out and letting everyone know how my little part of the family is doing.  I am also very glad for Facebook as I can check in on family and leave a little thinking of you message.  I feel slightly more connected, and as an observer, this is perfect!