Let's take a walk through a brand new day.

The holidays are behind us and the memories of family and friends in our homes are slowly beginning to fade.  Hopefully, the stressful memories are gone and the good ones are lingering.  For me, family memories are many and almost always happy.  We have a HUGE extended family and are blessed to have remained close. My dad was one of 17 brothers and sisters. My mom was one of nine.  When all of these relatives began having children and their children had children and their children’s children had children, the family logistics became very confusing.  I’m still confused about what to call my relatives.  I can’t remember whether they are my second cousins, or third cousins, or first cousin once removed, or twice removed!  One of my relatives just calls everybody “cousin”.  I’m cousin Karen and then there’s cousin Gail and cousin Chris, and cousin Cody, and cousin Gary and cousin Linda and so on. We know we’re related and we can even tell you how. “That’s Ray’s daughter’s son’s cousin’ on her mama’s side.”  Let’s just say it gets complicated.  There are hundreds and hundreds in the Lord family!  My dad told me that if I ever ran into someone who had the last name Lord, I should assume that I was kin to them. So, I do. (more…)