A sweet memory

I've been thinking about my cousin Trish a lot lately. However, probably not for the reasons one may imagine. I haven't been thinking about what an awesome mom of four adorable kids she is. I haven't been thinking about the fact that her and I are so close in age-- only five days difference! I haven't even been thinking of the fact that we look more like sisters than my own sister (Sorry Tif!)

If you look at the picture, you can easily tell who Trish is by how similar we look.

So why am I thinking of Trish? It was all triggered by a trip I made last night to the Farmer's Market in our local town. I went to a vendor's table, and he had one last pint of sweet peas. I like peas, so I bought them. At home, I was showing Brendan how to break open the shell to eat the peas from inside, and I literally started laughing out loud. Brendan looked at me quizzically, so I told him this story.

When Trish and I were very little, we used to live right next door to each other. It was a heavenly set up for cousins who loved to play. In between our houses was a gigantic garden that we shared between our two families. One day Trish and I were walking from one of our houses to the other and we were distracted by the temptation of the pea row. We sat down and began deftly opening shells and gobbling the peas out of the shell. Trish and I devoured the entire row of delectable peas! I don't remember if we got in trouble; I honestly don't think so. But the story has become legend in the family.

These peas made me think of Trish and how much I miss my cousin. Then, Evan was talking to me just a little later and he was upset about me telling him "No" about something. He came right up to me and put his nose against my nose and restated his case. Again, a Trish memory flooded back because her and I used to make the same move when we were angry with each other. I can picture us in my playroom doing the same thing!

Unfortunately, Trish and I don't live just a garden away from each other any more. We are actually divided by about 4 states and hundreds of miles. We don't get to share giggles in the dirt or spend the night at each other's houses anymore. We don't get to grind noses if we are mad. However, that doesn't diminish how special Trish is to me. She has always felt like a second sister. Not even distance can change that.