everyone knows it's windy
This evening I
talked to my first cousin Wendy via telephone.�
Wendy and I are the same age and grew up together and went to grade
school together and high school together.�
The whole shebang�together.� She
and I always got along, were close at some points, closer at others, drifted at
some but never ever grew so far apart that we did not share a fierce
appreciation for the fact that we were first cousins and therefore no one
should dare mess with the other.� We
read the same books, talked on the phone, she was there when I met my first
puppy love, Frank Conway and we basically lived out �Are you there god it�s me
Margaret� together.
�
Today I called to
check in with my Aunt DeDe (who happens to be Wendy�s bodaciously cool Mom) and
Wendy was there.� Wendy lived in VA with
my other first cousin Shelley for a long long time. They were roomies.� I never knew Shelley outside of meeting her
exactly once in my life.� But according
to Wendy, Shelley is very promiscuous and very much a pain in the butt who
thinks she�s better than everyone else.�
She collects Longaberger baskets and can only eat off of Pfalzcraft
dishes.� Weird to both Wendy and I.
�
We chatted for
about an hour and I enjoyed myself so immensely.� I had not realized just how much I missed her until there she was
in my ear in all her friendly laughter and memory ridden self.� I instantly recalled learning to ride bikes
down her sloped yard and crashing into trees, playing chase in her backyard on
summer nights while our parents gathered around smoky fire pits and we giggled
despite the mosquito bites and watered down Kool-aid that populated my
childhood years with plenty of red faced grins.�
�
At one point she
mentioned how everything seemed so important and valid about other people�s
opinions when we were teenagers and how now we just don�t give a damn.� She stated that when she was in high school
she was picked on about her size and how I never was.� I reminded her of all the �watermelon� butt remarks I always
received because I just have an Italian style ass.� She said, �Yes but you had the cool friends who everyone wanted
to hang out with.�� I replied, �Yah cool
friends who are now single Mom�s with 3 kids and no career and no prospects of
any glory nearby despite all the popularity etc.�� She stated, �you were still cool when cool mattered.�
�
I never knew she
felt that way.� I know there were years
in my teens that I was wrapped up in a long term boyfriend and didn�t spend
enough time with my cousins or my friends for that matter.� Today I realized how much I probably
missed.�
�
The best thing that
happened wasn�t anything that she said.�
I lost the cellular connection and �and�.she called me right back.� :-)�
She called me back.� This may not
seem a big thing but every other time I�ve ever called family and lost
connection I am the one that must call back�.if I call back at all.
�
It�s so nice to
care about and for someone and then realize in one split second that your call
was welcomed and enjoyed in return.�
Priceless.
�
My cousin Wendy has
moved back home and is staying with her parents (my Rocking Aunt and Uncle who
I adore and wish had been MY OWN parents�a fact I have told to most everyone
who would care to be told)� She�s
enrolled in college herself and has plans for an entirely new and different
life. �She had a few bad years being
somewhat abused by my other cousin and her ill laden comments.� We�ve been through similar and yet very
different experiences recently.
�
Today I told her I
was proud of her for making a scary but much needed change.� She�s looking to work two jobs and get her
own house in my hometown to rent.�
�
Today after she
called ME back�.I decided to save some money for a plane ticket for her and ask
her to fly down so she can come to my wedding. I also decided to call her every weekend when I have free minutes on my phone....and...just be "first cousins" again because...because it's just so cool.
Wendy likes to bake cakes and read books and knows about art and cool stuff and has interests I appreciate and....yah she was always like this but having been away from her...I appreciate her in a newfound way and would like to see her again soon. Heck, maybe she can make my wedding cake....that's a thought. hmm.....ideas ideas.... I have a cool cousin I used to call Windy when I was a little little girl.�Yah it�s a plan.
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