5) Write about someone who made your childhood bearable.
My childhood was good. Really good. I grew up in a great home with strong parents and lots of relatives who lived close. I went to good schools, had great friends, and managed to stay out of any serious trouble.
That said, growing up can be hard. Let me rephrase… being a teenager is hard.
Many people made it bearable. My parents (even though we fought like only teenagers and parents can), my sister (who I’ve always looked up to, even though she’s younger), and my friends (I “ran with” a good group, many of which are still my friends today).
But when I looked at this particular Writing Prompt from Mama Kat, one person came to mind.
My cousin, Miguel.
That’s him, on the bottom of this precarious human totem pole. On his shoulders is his brother / my cousin Nuno. Then, there’s me. My sister, the only one that would have smashed her head into cement had we toppled, is on top.
And yes, this is the only time you’ll see me in a bikini on my blog. But I digress…
Miguel is 10 years older than me. When you’re a teenager, that makes him “old enough to be super cool without being, like, you know, old and stuff.”
See how I tried to say that in “teenage speak”?
Anyhow, Miguel tells lots of stories. Long, detailed, stories. Miguel is loud and animated and passionate about many, many things. Miguel can be persuasive and sometimes doesn’t want to listen to reasoning.
He is also the most caring person you’ll ever meet, with a great sense of humor and an amazing commitment to family and friends. I could go on and on…
Miguel lives in Portugal, so these I see him when he visits for a month or so over the holidays. While we communicate through Facebook and email, I miss him. I miss laughing with him and drinking wine with him. I don’t necessarily miss the weight I gain when he’s here (which I’m still trying to lose from this last visit, btw), but I miss him.
Thank you Miguel, for being you. I love you cuz.
This was was inspired by Mama Kat’s Writing Prompts. Go check her out!
How great is that picture!!!! Don’t you just love cousins! Your first and best friends.
I still don’t understand how I’ve never met this cousin. Next year I’m coming for the holiday festivities/eating.
LOVE this!!! love your retro photo. Love your cousin being there for you!
This is adorable. What a great cousin and fun person to have in your life. You both look very happy in those pictures!
Aw, that’s so sweet. Miguel sounds great. I have a cousin like him and we were close growing up; however, we are closer in age. Your post made me think of him and now I miss him! Luckily, he lives not so far away. I need to call him!
Miguel must have indeed been very special to want to hang out with a cousin ten years younger than him. My older cousins were having none of that!
Family can be so awesome:)
Ultra sweet.
What a sweet post, sounds like you guys have such a great relationship. I was close to my cousins when I was young but am not as close to them anymore. I miss it, this post makes me want to give them a call. Visiting from trdc.
I really like this post. I feel like I know your cousin Miguel through your kind, tender, and fun words about him. Well done!
I was drawn to your post by your name “Vicarious Chelsea”. My post today was in tribute to my Bichon, Chelsea, who passed away 3 years ago. I just love the name Chelsea.
PearlsGirl
What a sweet post! It sounds like even though you are so far away from each other you cans till keep in touch like only family can! Thank God for facebook and modern technology!