Friends Like Family
Dear Koko, When I was young I heard these stories of my father growing up with so many siblings and cousins in the same house. They would be running around the village enjoying themselves like there is no tomorrow. My mother's side had similar stories - of festivals and bhai phonta. I grew up as a single child but always had cousins around me, at least in the same city. So if it was a birthday or a family function, you would have those familiar faces who you could look at as you were cornered by a pesky relative and they could make you smile from across the room. Sometimes I think about you and feel such a secluded childhood you are having. Your cousins are in different cities, in different parts of the world. you don't really know them. The other day you tell me, "when we go to Kolkata this time will we visit my cousins?" "Which ones" I ask. "The ones who had a dog named Goochie" You were referring to a friend's kids. I correct you and you