Something to be thankful for...

They always say that you don't appreciate something until you no longer have it.  When the HyWy and I did the cleanse I realized how much I loved food.  When I moved to college I realized how much I missed homemade Indian food.  These were things that I took for granted until I no longer had them. 

When I first moved to California my cousin and his wife lived here.  While they were here I didn't see them as often as I would have liked to, because it was difficult to coordinate schedules and we lived far apart.  Last year they moved out of state and now as the holiday season is here I have realized how much I miss having family nearby.  I miss being able to go over and do nothing with family.  I can neither explain nor put my finger on why I enjoy spending time with relatives.  I think that spending time with friends is often more structured or there is more of an agenda.  It's not like relatives don't have their own lives and that their time is not precious, but there is simply a more casual feeling.  Maybe it is because I have never grown up around relatives and now that I have experienced what it is like to have them nearby I find I like it more.  Whatever the feeling I know that both the HyWy and I are in agreement that we would definitely want to eventually settle down more permanently somewhere near family, whether immediate or relatives it doesn't matter. 

I am thankful for a large and wonderful immediate and extended family.