Oh Danny Boy.

One of my aunts passed away last week, her funeral was today. Usually the best things to come of events like this are the reunions that come of it. But, it wasn't anything like I thought it would be. My mom was close with her sister and was very close with her kids when they were little (they're in their 40's now) and I have a lot of memories of my cousins from when I was younger. But the "reunion" I was anticipating, was not what I got. Since my grandma died I've seen a lot of my aunts and uncles, but I was looking forward to seeing my cousins, however I don't think the feeling was mutual and it will probably be a very long time before I see them again. Grandparents have a tendency to tie families together and once they're gone, families disband. What's the point of pushing "familyness" if it's just not there. I know a large portion of our lack of closeness is our huge age gap. I am the youngest grandchild on my mom's side and my oldest cousin is 48. Her kids are my age- not that I'm close with them either. We are a family in name only.