October 4, 2000 - Wednesday
Harry has a new cousin and his name is Ben. He's the son of Harry's Aunt Jane and Uncle Kris (upper right) who live about two hours away, but since Harry and Ben are within a year of each other we'd like to think that they'll come to know each other well. Of course, Harry already has an Uncle Ben from the other side of his family, but I had two Uncle Davids and two cousin Davids growing up and it all worked out, so I'm not too worried for Harry.

I suppose it will happen many times in the future, but Ben's birth obviously reminds me of Harry's and talking to Aunt Jane brings back the increasingly fond memories from those hours in the hospital waiting for Harry's arrival. We haven't see Ben yet, but we may this weekend since he will live about 45 minutes from the cabin we'll be at for a vacation with friends and family. Uncle Kris' hesitation about whether this will indeed be the best weekend for a hoard of people to converge upon Ben and their house also reminds me of the adjustments to a new and unknown routine in those early days and the often felt desire to just be alone with Harry and his mother. But, I also remember the joy of showing Harry to friends and family and how wonderful it was that people were so excited to meet him. We knew so little about him then, but he was ours and we were his. Jane and Kris are undoubtedly feeling those same wonderful feelings today.


Comments, opinions?