Tradition in time

I've been thinking a lot about family since our big Thanksgiving extravaganza. My thoughts have been bouncing back and forth between the sentimental awe and the realistic disconnect that I have with my extended family.

I'm a little younger than one group of my cousins and significantly older than the majority. The age difference sets me apart enough that when I'm not instigating them to do lip-dub's, I'm observing them, and I'm inspired by the remarkable way that they along and interact.

There were giggles over nothing, sharing of ipods and even heated political debates. But the most interesting thing I overhead were the murmurs about continuing the tradition of getting all our families together, "When we grow up."

It's heartwarming to hear such a sentiment. It speaks wonders for the example that my mom and her siblings have set for us. I'm hopeful for the future of tradition, but not naive to the realistic nature of time.

In time the cousins will move away, get married and have children. In time, the age difference between us will feel less. And only time will tell if we'll follow in the tradition of our cackling aunts and sleeping uncles.