Hello everyone!
Just sharing one of my childhood memories.
I came in a family oriented culture. Where family live together in one place or closeby. There are a lot of advantages doing this: I get to grow up with my cousins as most of the elder members of the family sometimes take turns looking after the kids. We get to learn from each other new skills, games, anything that are fashionable that season. It was an awesome way to grow up and I still look back on those days.
My family lives 2 towns away from them and as I grew older, it became challenging for us to visit. I started developing a passion for reading- which means that most of the time, I love having book related conversations.My cousins unfortunately have picked up different hobbies and interests. When they come over and visit us, we often find ourselves in uncomfortable conversations as neither can relate to what we are talking about.They went on to have a very active social life while I got stuck being a housebody.
I was so wrapped up doing my clinical rotations, college requirements and finally preparing for the board exams. I did not hear from my cousins that much on those years- as most of them are also busy pursuing their lives. I only hear occasional anecdotes about them through my parents.
I am now based overseas which meant I am seeing less of my family. I still occasionally talk to them through the social media. I often shift the conversations on what they do in life, their goals, dreams and basically, the latest gossip in the family.
I hope someday, when I have kids, I could get them to play with their cousins too. Having cousins who you can play with, share secrets and memories is just like acquiring an extra brother or sister. This certainly is a highlight childhood memory for me.