A continuous bond

I was in Florida a few weeks ago visiting my cousins. It’s seems like every year something is different and every changing. My youngest cousin just took her SAT’s and is almost in college. Her older sister just finished her sophomore year at FSU and is officially an adult. There's also an addition to the family, a step-brother. I finally had the opportunity to meet him and he’s quite the little charmer. I always forget how exhausting yet amazing kids are. Having him around has changed the dynamics of the family and how everyone relates. It also brought to mind memories of my cousins when they where that age. They had a very different experience due to a missing element in their lives, their mother. She wasn’t there to guide, spoil or love them because her life came to an end after a short battle with cancer. Her death was very difficult for the family and unexpected. It was also a new experience for me as a child since I always had a special connection with her. I didn’t know how do deal with the idea of never seeing her again. I also thought about my cousins and the pain they would go through growing up without her. Over the years I’ve tried to be part of their lives and continue that bond that I had with their mother. I see so much of her in them and the progression of life.