The Ties That Bind

"Peggy?"

"Yes?" She looked at me expectantly.

"I'm your cousin, Laura"

Peggy stood up and we embraced for a good 30 seconds. Figuring backwards it seems that it's been possibly 35 years since we last saw each other. When I was young I was always stunned when my mom would say it had been years since she had seen this friend or that family member. I swore that would never be the case for me. Hah!

Approximately 45 years ago, Peggy's mom picked up and left her husband, left Michigan and fled to Texas. She'd had enough of the physical abuse and alcoholic behaviors that threw such chaos into their home. Peggy's mom was my mom's only sibling and married someone just like her Dad, our grandfather. That could be an honor in some homes, but in Peggy's home it left only scars and broken hearts. Another family generation fractured by alcohol and all the demons that come along for the ride.

Here we were so many years later at a family wedding, rapidly comparing notes of who lives where, what marriages were performed, the children that came along and the deaths that occurred much to early. More importantly we talked about what hurts are hidden in our hearts. It's funny how some family relationships never gel even though you're related, while others seem as natural as having just met for lunch every week for years. This reconnection came very naturally. Mostly what reconnected us, was being able to talk of our heartaches with nary a thought of judging or fear of rejection. Just love and prayers for our children that keep us on our knees often.

The ties that bind are more than blood and if prayer's involved it's the strongest one yet.

"By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped."

Ecclesiastes 4:11-13, The Message

4 comments:

Lou said...

This was a lovely post, and I really like the scripture quote.
She is both family & friend. How great you were unexpectedly reunited.

Anonymous said...

Thank you SO much for your "Peggy" story. As you may have guessed, I LOVE stories, especially when they contain a message of spiritual love, reconciliation, or recovery of some sort.

Daily, I tell people how much I have missed out on, over the years, by NOT seeking out this 'logging method of sharing.

However, being here now...I am humbled, honored, and blest!

Princess Powerless said...

Nice post... It reminded me that I need to call my best friend from high school. We haven't seen each other for about 7 years, but we still talk via email and phone calls. We have one of those easy friendships you described; we can pick up where we last left off. How nice to see your cousin again after all these years. Keep in touch with her! PP

Sunshine said...

That's a great quote. I'm going to steal it! LOVE it!