Thankfulness: extended family

Finally Monday morning. This was one of those weekends that kind of felt like it would never end, but in a really wonderful way. Friday evening I packed up as much as I could and stuffed it into my car. There were bags smooshed in every direction, and I was certain that the whole car would explode if any of the doors were opened. Luckily that didn’t happen. One of my coworkers and his fiancé stopped over with a bottle of prosecco to celebrate, and all of the packing and moving finally started to feel real. Saturday morning, I hopped in my car and set off for Philadelphia to see family and participate in The Race for Hope on Sunday morning.

It was a short trip to Philly, but filled with all of the best things: delicious dinners, friends, cousins, dance parties, diner brunch and a celebration of the life of my uncle who we lost almost two years ago. We had a team of about twenty for the race, and even though the morning was cold, it was an absolutely beautiful day. It’s something my uncle would have loved…a day of family and friendly competition finished off with a big table of 12 for brunch at a local diner. It doesn’t get any easier to live without him for his family, but it’s really wonderful that all of us get the opportunity to come together and celebrate his life in such a fun way.

This weekend has made me so grateful for the wonderful relationship I have with my cousins. We’ve been lucky to see each other a lot this season, a trend that I hope doesn’t stop now that I’m living in Pittsburgh. It’s like having a big group of best friends that have known you since the very beginning and love you despite all the family drama. I’m especially lucky to have two girl cousins (and a girlfriend of a boy cousin) that are such beautiful people and special influences on my life.

Sunday afternoon I made my way back to Pittsburgh. It was such a weird feeling. I haven’t spent more than a week here in the past two years, and the concept of starting a life in this place seems unreal. I think the interim housing situation isn’t helping this strange feeling, but the anticipation of closing on our house in two weeks feels like Christmas. I’m just so excited.

Much to be thankful for.

To family and cousins,

Lia