Big Families

I come from a big family. On my Mom's side I have 38 cousins. And yes I can name them all...

Leo
Marissa
Lorissa
Gabriel
Melissa
Adan
Patricia
Jovan
Rosie
Giovanni
Cassandra
Betty
Roman
Arnie
Gabriel
Angie
Karina
Enrique
Erika
Jo-Jo
Monique
Raymond
Flavia
Anna
Joaquin
Michael
Jamie
Eric
Victor
Jorge
Emmanuel
Vanessa
Selina
Carlos
Christopher
Aerica
Mikey
Nick

Of course this does not include me and PR Dad and my 2 sisters and 2 brothers.

Not only are we a big family, we are a close family. We stay connected and in close contact. We are involved and intertwined in each others lives no matter how near or far we are. When something bad happens to one of us we all feel the pain and carry the hurt. Our hearts ache and we cling to each other. On the other hand when something wonderful happens we share in the joy. When one of us accomplishes something we all shine with pride for each other. We are each others backbone and biggest fans.

Today our family grew when my cousin Gabriel and his wife Angie had a baby girl they named Melody. As soon as she was born text messages between us started flying. Pictures started being sent and congratulations went back and forth. For some of my cousins they were becoming Tia and Tio's for the first time. And for the rest of us our hearts swelled with love and family pride.

We are all very happy to have another beautiful flower in our big, lush, thriving, colorful garden.