The Joys of Living Near Family

Yes, I know, I complain about living in the middle of no where often.  The fact is, I like the city, I like being close to stores and mostly eating establishments.  But, my husband and I have traded that in for living on the 4 acres that my mom owns which is attached to about 20 acres that is owned by her siblings.

And, being that I am an only child, my children call all of my family aunt or uncle.  So, on Monday when my Mom’s truck wouldn’t crank, she borrowed mine.  That left me with no way to retrieve the little darling from school.  So, about 15 minutes before school let out, Mini Me and I started walking.  We were headed out to borrow an automobile from someone. 

Who?

I had no clue.  But, we started walking and talking.  I asked Mini Me where he believed we should go.  He insisted that Uncle Roger (who is actually my first cousin) would be the first stop and when I inquired where we might have to go if he wasn’t home, he quickly answered Momaw Faye’s (which is actually my aunt).

Just to see where his line of thinking was, I asked him, what if she is gone.  His answer, without hesitating was Aunt Sheila’s (actually my aunt).  And, he continued to list family members and call them all Aunt or Uncle when in reality, some of them are simply my cousin’s by marriage. 

Then today, my presence was requested at school.  I explained that I couldn’t go because my mom had a treatment on Monday and my cousin (or Aunt Sherri to the boys) had something to do.  Mini Me was quick on the draw with, “but I can stay with Momaw Faye” when in reality, he has only stayed with her once and I don’t know if he would even stay if I tried to leave him.

I am safe here.  I know I am.  I have lived away from here but even then, no matter how far away I lived, I was never concerned that I would go hungry or be without a place to sleep.  I know my family is here and I’m welcome if in need.  And, I love that my kids feel that love as well.  It’s not some figment of my imagination, they really do feel just as safe here as I always have. 

My husband has commented several times that he didn’t grow up knowing that sense of security.  That alone makes me just a wee bit more proud that my family are as caring and giving as they are.  And, if that’s not something to be thankful for this season, I don’t know what is.