In a different life we live closer.
My daughter knows my parents’ forest as her second backyard. She calls after my late childhood cat and knows where she hides rather than searching and searching like she does.
My son learns to walk barefoot on soft grass rather than in boots on rocky, gravel trails.
Both know each family’s pets by name.
My daughter has a favorite beach and knows all the best spots to find sand dollars.
My son goes through his history phase being able to visit the battle sites and forts and imagine life as one who came before.
Both know my side of our family deeper.
My kids know my siblings and their jokes. They know which uncle to call in a pinch and which to just laugh with.
They know which aunt will care for them so deeply as her own. Which will tell wild stories of their mother growing up and not be able to discern her facts from her exaggerated fiction.
They’ll know them, but how well only time will tell.
You can only do so much from so far away.
My daughter will see each house and comment on the smells, styles, fabrics, textures and accents.
“This is Aunt Megan’s style” she’d say, because she’d know.
My son will look at my brothers as how men are supposed to be and also what not to imitate.
“Sometimes you just let them talk and don’t take either too seriously”
My brothers and sister won’t have to ask general questions about their life because they truly don’t know what we’re up to.
My side knows my kids as well as my husband’s side.
In a different life we live closer.
In this one we just visit.
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