My mother adored her two younger brothers, who loved her dearly, too. They stayed close in heart forever. Each of the three raised children who treasure their siblingsa gift not every child is given.

During my Edmonds childhood, Uncle Glenn, Aunt Jewell and my cousins Darrell and Roger lived in Seattle. Uncle Bill (though my mom always called him William) and Aunt Marian lived in Yakima with my cousins Carrie, Jennie and Tom.

We saw Uncle Bills family infrequently, as we lived too far away for convenient visits. Still, I always had a cozy feeling when I thought about my aunt, uncle and cousins in Yakima.

When I was in grade school, Uncle Glenn and Aunt Jewell and their boys drove every week from Seattle to Edmonds to attend Hughes Memorial Methodist Church, at Fifth and Dayton, where Uncle Glenn taught Sunday school for several years. (My favorite Sunday school teacher, ever.)

When their family decided to join a church closer to their home, I pleaded (unsuccessfully) for them not to leave our church. Of course, our families continued to spend time together, holiday meals and summer days on Camano Island with our grandparents.

Fast forward to October 2009. Aunt Marian is the only one of our parents still living. Cousin Darrell lives in Mesa, and his brother Roger and wife Sylvia live in Anchorage.

Siblings Carrie, Tom and Jennie (and husband Bob) all live in WashingtonLynnwood, Birch Bay and Whidbey Island. My brother Warren and I both live in Edmonds. The cousins decided it was time to have a Cousin Reunion at Carriesincluding Aunt Marian, who lives in Marysville.

What a rare treat to get the brothers from Alaska and Arizona together; we quickly scheduled our reunion around their visits.

Cousin Jennie and husband Bob couldnt be with us, and that was the only thing that kept the event from perfection. Great conversation, hugs, laughter, foodand a few tears, here and there.

And lots of picture taking. Speaking of photos, my brother Warren devoted approximately 473 hours of his time to sifting through old photo albums, making copies, numbering pictures, adding datesand sometimes captionsto countless family photos, ranging over 100 years, beginning in 1908. He randomly scattered the photos on a table in Cousin Carries living room for all to peruse. Can you imagine how wonderful that was?

We sifted through those pictures all day. Remember that old Ford? Look at those hats! Werent our moms darling in 1940? Glenn and Jewell, teen-age newlyweds, so in love! And heres Grandpa, age 70, standing on his head! Theres your old dog Trixie! LookGrandma took a photo of Chief Josephs funeral! (Yes.)

I loved that day. I love my aunt and cousins. That reunion was, in fact, an early Thanksgiving. Im still giving thanks for that day, for those dear people in my life. Ill open the memories again on Christmas and feel blessed, all over again. Ill bet they do, too.