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Fried Chicken and Babies

Recently we visited our cousins in Missouri. You guys! It had been over 8 years since we had seen that part of the family. We used to have reunions every four years, but my grandmother passed away as did several of her siblings. My cousin and I had promised to keep up the tradition, but Taylin was born with so many health issues, then illness struck my grandma, and time just slipped on by. Now, that’s just the truth.

I write this to explain something- maybe just to myself. We need our family. We need each other now more than ever. Our kids deserve to know their “roots.” No, my family is not from Missouri, but we have family in Missouri that fill in some gaps in my mind. My kids had no idea. I mean, Holly was 10 and Dani was 6 when we visited last. They barely remember their cousins and how much fun it is to connect with people who share the same DNA… My aunts and uncles have my grandmother’s smile, her laughter, and their eyes sparkle the way hers did. One of my aunts even wears her perfume. I smelled it. I felt it. I know she was in the room. In fact, we were on the original homestead property and it felt like home. These people do not know a stranger and the conversations picked up right where we left off.

I titled this “Fried Chicken and Babies” because the minute I walked in, I was hugged, welcomed into the kitchen, and it was my job to flip the chicken… I learned that the secret to fried chicken is to dip it in eggs, then flour, then let it sit a minute. This apparently makes the flour stick on a little better. You should also have about 1/2 an inch of Crisco in the pans- and use the burners that get the hottest. And, even if the chicken might burn and someone walks in with a baby, it is perfectly acceptable to pass the forks to someone else while you claim dibs on the first snuggles! It really is that simple- fried chicken and babies.

On the way home, my daughters talked about how much “those people” acted just like we do. Yes, yes they do. We welcome people into our homes, we fix way too much food, there’s always plenty of dessert, we’re glad you came, we’ll fix you a plate to take home, and everyone helps with the dishes. People still look you straight in the eyes, tell you the truth, and genuinely care about what you have to say. It is the way of it.

I write this post to encourage you to reach out to your family- especially those you haven’t seen in a long time. Family helps you stay connected to who you are at your core. My extended family is full of love, laughter, hard working, honest and hilarious people. Good people. People who help me understand how truly connected we all are in this great big world. I’m super thankful for the chance to experience fried chicken and babies. Let’s not wait another 8 years. I already miss you!

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