I had cousins I rarely saw because of the distance but I adored them. Cousins, family were something precious and treasured. That was something I always wanted for my kids, to have an extended family. Both our parents lost at least one of their parents at young ages. His siblings never had cousins so we made a special effort for the kids to know each other.
Now all the kids have solid relationships, viewing each other almost as brothers and sisters. I'd never do anything to hamper that, so it's easy to go up. I enjoy the time with my mother-in-law, time with my sisters-in-law and their families. I'm much quieter than I have been in the past but do chirp up with some witty one liners.
Why do I do it? For love, for family... with my boundaries.
