Family Jewels

Those who have always had cousins around the corner may wonder what all the fuss is about.

Those who've always had grandparents living local won't get it either.

But those whose family live far away will understand how amazing it is 

to be surrounded by those of your blood.

What a gift it is to see your children being loved by your parents.

What a treasure for them to have cousins...

Sweet ringletted cousins who who crow ecstatically in Spanish when your Scrag enters the room: "Mi sustantivo! Mi sustantivo! El mio! El mio!"


*My cousin my cousin, he's mine! he's my cousin!*

A sweet little niece who holds out her hands to you, "Tia Simone! Tia Simone!"
She holds your hand and lets you kiss her. She can't understand what you say to her, but she understands that you are family.
When you realise this - She is your niece - your heart will swell.
Her brother, your nephew. When he dances with you at the mall, you might just burst with love.

Such a treasure having cousins to eat cake with, run and bounce with, ride trains with...

Surrounded by a crowd of Paparazzi, eagerly capturing these moments 

to keep for a time when family is not so plentiful...

Every cute phrase duly noted. Every family resemblance remarked upon.

Childhood adventures relived, retold.

"When your mummy was little she used to..."

"When your uncle was a baby he would..."

"Remember when you rode that train with Dad? Where was it now... Rotorua? Hastings! We have that photo of you..."

Its a wonderful thing to be surrounded by family.
Each and every family member a treasure, a jewel beyond price.