Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Family

About a month ago my brother, Bobby, sister-in-law, Paige, and their two daughters moved two blocks away from us. I expected having them close would be fun and awfully convenient but what I hadn't anticipated was a deepening of my appreciation for the four of them. In this photo is my beautiful and bright-eyed niece, Isabelle, who we now, because of a next to nothing commute, have the joy of seeing often in our inflatable pool, riding a scooter on our front sidewalk, or eating freeze pops in our loud and sweltering kitchen. She and her younger sister, Janie, are a huge part of my own children's lives and I treasure their fierce loyalty to one another. "Hi, what are you doing?" I ask Paige on the phone for quite possibly the third time in any given day. I have nothing specific to tell her, but it doesn't matter. We are family, and just knowing she's up the street available to hear my blabbering (which in all actuality is a very crucial outlet for my frustration or worry or loneliness) is comforting. It is nice to be known as you truly are and loved anyway.

3 comments:

Has said...

I know EXACTLY what you mean. I live a block away from my mother, father and younger sister. It ROCKS!!!

Kelleylynn said...

Family can be the greatest assest to the daily grind.
My mom lives with us...the last 11 years and it has been wonderful and well...we get through the rough patches TOGETHER.
She will be sorely missed as we cannot take her with us to SVOTS! Boo Hoo!
What a great time for the cousins to grow together...a true-rare blessing!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Molly. Who would have thought six blocks would have made such a difference. We love you guys! - Paige