A Different Perspective….

Our family lives out its days one at a time, doing it our own personal family way…the noises in our home fully vested in portraying the five who live within our walls.  There is shower water and quiet music in the early morning rising.  There is laughter and giggling during lunch-time frolics in the pool.  And, at night, after ballgames and work times and volunteering when we all warm the couch with our presence, it is particularly sweet.

It is YoungMcKenzie family sweet. 

And, I for one, do not take a single moment of that for granted.  Not today.  Not tomorrow.  Not ever….nor ever again.

 And, then you have a sweet, little guest who brings to your home a new perspective, a new vantage point, a new view.  You clean up in preparation and in hope that he will see what you feel about your home, “Love Lives Here”.

My nephew is visiting us.  What a joy and delight it is to have his fresh face and untattered heart amongst our family.  He adds a softness to our teenage tough boys.  He brings out the sweetheart in our daughter and he draws from his Uncle and me a fresh view of “everyday” things in life… 

I confess to telling him right off the bat, “we don’t eat all of our meals at McDonalds, our pottys really are clean but are 30 years old and we do clean up the clutter in our home…sometimes.”  To which he so sweetly replys, “oh, I know Aunt Lesa”…with a grin on his face. 

It’s been six years since I have lived with an eleven year old.  They are truly magical beings…seeing all things positive, making more good choices than not, listening to good easy music on the radio and to enjoying a few shows of SpongeBob Square pants.  The pressures of life not having yet to weigh him down, he beams things all light and bright and shiny…and, it is reflected in our home. 

He brings out the best in all of us….like a drink of fresh iced lemonade on a hot, hot day….(did you know Chick Fil A has great lemonade?)

 

 Time with him has been interspersed interestingly…Uncle Ian got the privilege of landing the eagle at our home and you could tell he enjoyed the trip….both man and boy came to visit me at my office and were in great Uncle-nephew spirits. 

Then, it was Kenton and Cousin time.  Cousin got the full McDonald’s exposure including foodJ and Xbox and movie time.  Chatter in their room as I stood outside listening sounded serious of what were the best techniques to win a game and the difference between teen games and mature games. 

I had to smile as I explained to Cousin that well-behaved boys, age 17, who have girlfriends are allowed a date night until midnight.  Little Cousin and Kenton stayed up waiting….and waiting…and waiting until Johnson got home.  It must have seemed an eternity because feet could not get down the stairs quick enough to greet Johnson as he came in the front door.

 Sweet.

Sweeter still is listening to the youthful questions from young cousin, pitched in young boy voice to older cousin.  Real life issues discussed.  Man/child and boy/child sitting on the brown leather couch, feet propped up after noon movie date.  Relaxed and sharing.

And, friendships forged.  Age- gap meaning little as hearts share a common bond.

 Family.

He has not said so yet, but I think Cousin is enjoying his time with us….it is telling in his giggling, laughing and deep conversations.  It is telling in the interest he takes in what we are doing next, even if that means just “chillaxing”… 

We sit now waiting….we are all going to experience an out-of-door theater.  The first in many years for my children and the first ever (he thinks) for Cousin/Nephew.

It’s memories we are making…. 

Cousin brings with him a different perspective to our lives and a bushel full of the sweetest memories…

Blessings,

Lesa