Her Last Name Began with G.....

She died in 2016....so it's been just over six years I have been almost "cousin-less".  Growing up I only had two cousins, Claudia and her younger brother David. He is living in Colorado with his wife and growing family so I don't see him very often at all.

She was "my" cousin....only two years younger than I was. Growing up we spent almost every Sunday at our grandparents home in Antioch, Illinois so we had a lot of childhood memories to share. As adults we living in different parts of the country and reunions were few. But, once back in the mid-west, we often joined Claudia and the family at her farm in southern Indiana. Those holiday memories are full of laughter and good times....so many good times.

Today I opened my address book so that I could send a quick note to a friend. My friend's last name begins with "G"..... and my eyes suddenly pricked with a few tears. 

It's been six+ years....but I haven't crossed her name off - and the minute I see it all those good memories come flooding back. Interesting how some small thing will trigger just a short wallop of surprise grief.

Ah well.....the good memories outnumber the bad/sad so they will have to suffice. But I miss her.