Long lost cousin

My sister and I, along with our young niece, attended the birthday party of a cousin's kid. For a long time, this cousin had been in crisis with no job (thankfully, his wife had one, though) and a young family to support. He's always been a tough guy, but even the toughest of them break under very trying times. Fortunately, late last year, he finally landed a respectable job and from the looks of things is well on the mend.

I think he feels he owes the clan thus the decision to hold the celebration of his two kids (whose birthdays are just a few days apart) nearby where everyone can drop by. It was, in a sense, an impromptu reunion, made more special by the appearance of cousin's sister.

Now this long, lost cousin, has not made an appearance for a very long time. Oh we would hear about her some from her brothers, but that was few and far between. The one time that really had all the family worried was when she supposedly suffered a heart attack (at 30 something) and she did not inform any of her folks about it until it was over. What if she'd croaked! She'd been avoiding us for a very long time so it was a pleasant surprise to see her present.

Our family (especially the father's side) is very clannish. If we can get together as often as possible, we do, with the flimsiest of reason. We do keep tabs on each other, particularly when someone is in crisis of one kind or another. So it was really both frustrating, annoying and worrisome when dear Cousin refused to put in an appearance.

But it was also such a huge relief to finally see her in the flesh and know that she is all right. I do hope she stays in touch. Geez, we're not gonna hit on her for a loan or something. We just want to spend time together, because that's the way we are.