Cousins

My sister in law flew in with her boys last week. The kids immediately began playing as if they'd never been apart, instead of like people who'd only seen each other twice in the last five years.

My youngest two boys gave up their room quite eagerly for their aunt and cousins, and made a nest on our bedroom floor for their own sleeping.

Last night, they decided a night was too long to be apart, and invited the boys to sleep with them.

I lay down in my bed, and after a riotous half hour of fart jokes and butt puns, Kachi crawled in with me while the other 3 giggled and whispered on the floor.

Kachi's breathing slowed and grew into a snore, and was soon matched by Grant's. Pascal and Tyler continued whispering and laughing.

I loved bearing witness to it. An ordinary night, wrapped in the beauty of loving and being loved, being silly and safe and free.

It was a very good way to fall asleep.