Because I Love You

I started writing this April 10th, right after, very unexpectedly, losing one of my cousins. Today is May 14th, and I've thought about, gone over this post a million times in my mind. I want to truly express my feelings, but do it in a way that not only makes sense but is appropriate. When I wrote this, as I've mulled it over in my mind for the last month, and now as I edit it and try to "finish" it I've had my cousins in mind. Those I grew up "playing with" (in the time before play dates), those I babysat, and even those who because of our difference in ages I barely know your names (how sad this makes me lately). So with you in mind I wrote this - but it also applies to all members of my family, to those who married into this family of ours, the family I married into and those special people in my life that I care about as if they are my family.

Dear Cousins,

Most of us grew up in small town Idaho - or very near there - for at least a part of our lives, but that doesn't really matter 'cause we all grew up with the same kind of upbringing - Family First.

Life has changed all of us. We've grown up, moved away, married, divorced, had kids (or not) - we are all different than what we once were, but for me one thing has never changed (and I'm guessing you too) - Family First.

We may not all be close - maybe not now, maybe we once were, maybe we never have been - life's just that way sometimes. It's not because of hurt feelings or anything like that (not for me anyway) - time, distance, age (the difference in ours) - it all affects us, molds us, makes us who we are - but in the end none this matters but Family does!

It's terrible that it has taken something tragic to remind me that no matter where I am, what I am doing, that it is family that keeps me grounded, reminds me who I am, where I've been & shows me where I want to go. So let me say this: 

I CARE ABOUT YOU & I'VE GOT YOUR BACK!

I don't care about what you've done or not done. I don't care if we were never really close. I don't care if we were close but haven't been for years. I don't care if you hardly know me or I you. I don't care if we talk all the time, or we've never had a one on one conversation. I could go on an on, but I think you got the point. None of it matters!

If you need me - I'm here. This is not anything new for most of us - most of us would do anything we could to help out our family, but it needs to be said. It needs to be put out there. Again, now, today! With family like ours we should never feel alone in our struggles. Call me/email me/facebook me.

To quote Frosty the Snowman (in Frosty Returns)
"One friend is a lot different than no friends. One friend is plenty" 

If you ever feel like you need a friend, let me be one to you. I love you 'cause you are you & you're family & that is all that matters. Trust me on this.

Krista