Cousins

“Born as a cousin, made as a friend.”

Byron Pulsifer

“God made us cousins because He knew our mothers could not handle us as siblings.” Unknown

Oh, what a couple of cousins could think up and plan to do. One child wouldn’t think of doing it but put several cousins together and the possibilities are inexhaustible. The imaginations are on full tilt. An old threshing machine becomes a pirate ship or a rocket ship. Pastures and barb wire fences are put there to climb through or over. Farm ponds yield the greatest fishing challenges. Ponies were made for cousins to ride. Lawnmower tractors were made to pull wagons full of cousins.

My cousins were and still are some of my best friends. The adventures we had and the imaginations we used to accomplish all kind of missions were phenomenal.

Our parents loved to gather together and they preferred kids to not be seen or heard. We cousins preferred that too. So away we went all over the entire ranch. We were cowboys and we were Indians. We were wild adventurers. We didn’t come back to reality until our tummies told us it was time for food.

Cousin Camp was formed because of this Grammies’ fond memories of times with her dear sweet cousins. My desire was to have my grandkids experience the fullness of cousin friendships.

We started this tradition a few years ago and attempt every summer to gather the twelve grands for a food and fun fest. Grammie plans and plans and tries to fill each day with craft projects, experiments, games and theme based fun. The Farmer is always recruited to assist with the woodworking project and any other spots that need filled. This year he had to make big dice for a yard Yahtzee game, giant feet for a Big Foot Relay, and a flyswatter golf game. He is sure handy to have around.

FUN! We had such fun and enjoyed being together. They love playing wall ball, corn hole, hunted, and throwing balls over the barn roof.

“Time passes and we may be apart, but cousins always stay close at heart.”

Unknown

“A cousin is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”

Marion C. Garretty