My family is dwindling. The recent death of one of my cousins, Billy, has shaken me out of a false sense of complacency and forced the realization that those of us who are of a certain age range are going to start dying off. This was a second cousin, a fellow with whom I played occasionally as a child when our families got together for infrequent visits. He and his brother and I were never that close because we didn’t see each other that often. He was six years older and his brother just a little less than fifteen months older than I. After I left North Carolina in 1972, we were long separated with no communication.

We all met again at a large family reunion about fifteen years ago and the intervening years fell away. We became reacquainted and found we had a great deal in common. When he was diagnosed with cancer last year at age fifty-six, all of us were in shock. However, I kept in touch with him until about five months ago. At that time, his wife began responding to all of his email. It has been a long, valiant battle for him, everyone in his immediate family, and for those of us in the extended family. His loss has left a void in the lives of all those who knew and cared about him

My realization has been that there have been too many opportunities missed with many of my cousins. In "Along Those Lines . . ." this week, I want to share some personal experiences that perhaps can inspire you to reestablish contact with those distant cousins and take advantage of the opportunities that can be shared.

[ Read More ] - Click Here