When I started writing this post… I got stuck. I couldn’t choose a family member. I could always write about my father, but I write about him a lot. And I think about him a lot… and really, even I get tired of the depression I put myself in when I focus on his passing. So who?
This #52WeeksA4A journey already has me delving into my life. I love all the laughter it brings, and the silliest of memories. The moment that you have an epiphany… or even struggle to find the right subject! Each week I feel like I’m paving a new road for myself. So this week, I started to focus on my mom… but I write about her a lot, too, so I moved on, thinking of my baby brothers. But… they are 22 year old boys just trying to find their way and we’ve all been there! So, then I thought of my cousin Rachel.
She’s not even my cousin. She’s my cousins’ cousin. For some reason, she likes me. She’s been a supporter, friend, sister and mom to me all at once, and sometimes I don’t think I could deal with some of the push back I get without her. But I know she doesn’t think she’s an inspiration as an amazing lawyer and super mom. She doesn’t mean to be inspirational- she just is. But as I was thinking about Rachel, I stumbled upon her relationship with her two sisters. A relationship I’ve envied in the past- it’s something movies about sisterhood are based off of. It brought me to my own sister.
I’ve been asked before to describe my sister and I always say blonde, blue eyes, tall, thin… she is, in a word, stunning. Her natural beauty sweeps most people away. Her style, classic. I’ve always wanted to be her. Look like her. But more than that, I’ve wanted to be more like her. She’s smart, business minded, organized, driven, determined. Somehow, her beauty did not mitigate her brains. In fact, I think it enhanced them. She’s a threat you will never see coming.
She’s kind of amazing, and I wish we were closer- physically and emotionally. It’s been 30 years, but I think the next few we could work on that… it never hurts to try. I wasn’t sure what else to say about her… she’s more private than I am (shocking, right?), so I just made a short video. While our paths are different (I’m home trying to work while nursing a baby at 2pm and you’re busy being VP of a huge advertiser!), our hearts are the same. ♥
Love you, J.
xo
Don’t forget to linkup your #52WeeksA4A post, week 6; A Family Member, I
You are so lucky to have a “cousin” like that in your life. She sounds like she’s all kinds of awesome.
She’s amazing- no joke!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
This is a beautiful post and such a great idea! I think that when we reflect on our loved ones, we realize how truly blessed we are 🙂
Tori recently posted…13 Things They Don’t Teach You in High School (but Should)
So true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Looks like a great friend. Thanks for the photos!
She really is!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Wow, that’s amazing. What a great cousin to have, that’s for sure!
🙂
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
This is so sweet! Thanks for sharing.
Maria recently posted…Mary J. Blige Soundcheck
Thanks for stopping by!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
That is a great cousin to have.. my kids are very close to their cousins, they see each other all the time..
My kids are all a bit older than theirs, so they are not close at all 🙁
They may get closer when they’re older. My cousin is a lot older than myself!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
I came from a small family and have always been envious of the awesome families with kids close in age. I had my sister and then we weren’t close to our extended family which is too bad.
Age gaps are hard! My sister and I are 7 years apart!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
You’re so lucky! I don’t have any cousins. I wish I has a big family 🙂
{Erica}EverythingMomandBaby recently posted…Colibri: Organic Wraps for Babywearing
Oh man! I love big families!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
That is some really nice things to write. It’s good to have someone in your life you can love and appreciate and that inspires you.
Thanks, Aubrey!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Sounds like such a great relationship you have, more like sisters which is awesome. I dont know what I would do without mine 🙂
Jenn recently posted…Shopping Totals and Valentine’s Day Weekend
Definitely like sisters!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
^^ My cousin, I mean. My sister and I, well… we are sisters 🙂
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Sometimes the best “family” are the ones we invite in rather than the ones we are given. Enjoy your relationship
Patty recently posted…My Favorite Jewelry Gifts
Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Fantastic pictures! You are very lucky to have her in your life.
lisa recently posted…What’s Worse Than Friday The 13th? Try Having A #BadHairDay!
That I am!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Sounds like you guys have a great relationship- thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for stopping by!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
What a great tribute. I would love to be remembered and cherished so greatly as you love Rachel.
Deborah A. recently posted…Fudge Brownie Pie #LoveWeek
I have some amazing women in my life, for sure!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
how lucky to have a cousin like yours. what a great blog challenge–it looks like you are enjoying it. All the pictures are great too!
Kathleen Kennedy-Leon recently posted…MyBestofBothWorlds wrote a new post, Why do men think they can fix everything?
Thank you, Kathleen!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
She sounds amazing! You two are lucky to have each other.
Dawn McAlexander recently posted…How Do You Get ID When You Have No ID? My Story #helpmeproveit
Yes we are! Thank you, Dawn!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Always great to have a close relationship like that. I wish I had a larger family!
Elizabeth @ Being MVP recently posted…3 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Under $50 #Vaseline #RosyLips #ad @VaselineBrand
I love having lots of family… I just wish we were closer in age!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
I love reading about family members! Sounds like a great relationship you two have with each other! Thank you for sharing.
Autumn @Mamachallenge recently posted…Traveling the World with Trafalgar
We really do- it is only getting better with age!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
This is a really neat thing you are doing. Going through your relationships this way must be very special. I will considering doing this as well. Rachel seems great. I have two girl cousins in town that I grew up with. One is my blood cousin and the other one is married in to the family. But we grew up together since 3rd grade so we don’t know any different.
Lee
Friends are just the family we get to choose, right? 🙂
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
This is very sweet and inspiring. I come from a very small family, I’m an only child and my cousin closest to my age is 14½ years younger than me so most of my closest “family” isn’t related to me by blood at all. Blood doesn’t make a family, love does.
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That is so true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
You girls look like you have lots of fun. Treasure it!
Crystal recently posted…The Movement of Jean Haters
I will <3
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Looks like y’all have a very strong bond!!! Love the photos!
Brittany @ Mom. Wife. Busy Life. recently posted…Sticking to a Budget with T-Mobile Simply Prepaid™
Nothing stronger than sisters!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Such a nice tribute! Your ‘cousin’ is lucky to have you too!
Scott recently posted…Winter-Safe Golfing Indoors
Thanks, Scott!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
This is such a beautiful post, you’re so lucky to have such a supportive cousin and in general a strong person like her in your life.
Soap Opera Spy recently posted…‘General Hospital’ Spoilers February 16-20: Lawsuits and Microchips and Ghosts, Oh My!
I am, for sure. Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
I LOVE that you have a “cousin” like that. Sometimes, the best relatives are the ones who aren’t related to us!
Melissa Pezza recently posted…Saturday’s Top Five Laughs- Come Join Our Blog Hop!
So true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Awe, that’s awesome, so glad you have someone so special in your life. Love the photos too – great times shared!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Bridge the Distance with Canon – #CanonL
Thank you, Tammi!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Aw, so sweet! I love it!
🙂
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
what a sweet tribute….looks like she’s been around in your life…love all the photos!
Dhemz Apdian – Dias recently posted…Daughter Got Invited!
She’s amazing… both my sister and my cousin!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
These are great photos. I wish i was that close to my cousins.
We don’t live close… makes it hard, for sure!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
What a sweet post and a great way to honor your cousin. I hope you showed her this.
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Painting With M & M’s Chocolate Candy (Learn & Link)
I hope she saw it… I should probably share it with her!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
What a beautiful way to describe your sister! Other than the blue eyes, I could write pretty much the same thing about mine. 😉
Mariana recently posted…Moisturizing – a part of our daily routine
Sisters are the best!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
What a beautiful post. I grew up with a cousin Who is like a sister to me too
Erinn S recently posted…The Benefits of NEW Dry Antiperspirant Sprays #TRYDRY
That’s awesome!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
This is so sweet of you. I have a fairly large family and am really only close with one of my siblings, and she lives 1500 miles away so we don’t get to see each other often. I was very close to a cousin growing up though. Not even a ‘real’ cousin, a step cousin!
jessica
http://teamwiking.com
Jessica Doll recently posted…Arc de Triomphe & Eiffel Tower
My sister lives in southern Florida and my cousin in DC… so me up in New England is hard. I miss seeing both of them very much.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
What a sweet post, it’s so important to have people in your life who you are close to.
Very true!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Such great photos! sometimes all we need is that one special person, awesome when we have more than that!
YES!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
This was a poignant piece and got me thinking about my sisters too. I’m glad that you focused on sharing your post on your relationship with your sister. Even though Rachel is dear to you, your sister remains a vital part of your life. I take it those beautiful pictures are of you and your sister; she fits the description you shared. Hugs and love to all of you! 🙂
Thank you so much for writing that. I think Rachel is amazing, but my sister and I are so complex, there is just something there. She’s amazing for all she’s gone through and pushed through. I am blessed to have such strong women in my life that I cannot decide who to write about!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday
Everyone needs a friend like that! What a wonderful tribute to a great friend.
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Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Marvelous Monday