Cousins

In his first year of life, our one year-old son, Christopher, has grown up largely on the other side of the country from his cousins - who all live near our present home.  When we had opportunity to come here for Christmas, or other occasions, I was always amazed by how quickly he picked up some new ability.

In the week between this last Christmas and New Years, Christopher went from two steps to seventeen after seeing his closest cousin in age toddling around.  Now he seems to be learning how to ride a tricycle and use the swings in the yard.  He's also taking up the family tradition of enjoying tractor rides with his Opa.

When I was growing up I had limited access to my grandparents and cousins.  They often lived a full days drive away from wherever I was living.  I was lucky to see some of my cousins once every year or two.  Others I might see once every five or more years.

Christopher has now had the benefit of extended time with both sets of grandparents as well as the lifestyle of living near mountains/climbing gyms and farms/lakes.  It makes me grateful that my son can experience many different ways of life growing up.  I hope he will have a greater understanding than I did of what it means to be both human and Canadian as he grows to become an adult.