Worth the drive <3

Russ had a cousin reunion this weekend so we made the trek across half of Illinois and most of Iowa just like we used to do at least a couple of times a year back in the day. 

When his parents were declining and I was working weekends for Talbot’s, he would travel by himself on Saturday and come back Sunday. Other times I would go with him. 

We have traveled that road many a time and it has not lost one single ounce of wonder for me. 

While I love the place where we have called home for four decades, Iowa farm country is so beautiful. 

Unlike our flat for miles fields, these fields are carved into rolling hills. There are terraces in some places and the dips and elevations give you a complete panorama across the the crops. 

The homesteads with all their extra buildings, silos and often animals are tucked in here and there and it is like one magnificent pastoral painting after another. 

We loved seeing family and catching up, eating and listening to stories. Those of us who married in just sat on the fringes as they pieced together what this aunt did and who was married to who to start the whole family tree off. 

Most of the cousins grew up within a couple hours drive of each other and they were close. 

I want to envy that but I just thank God I was grafted in. 

My cousins on both sides were scattered far and wide and I love them dearly and hold the fondest of memories from the handful of times we were together. 

I guess it really doesn’t matter if you grow up in the same vicinity or across the country. 

Family is a gift and worth the planning and travel to make gatherings happen. 

So grateful for the love across the miles.