Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Cousin(s) (05/22/08)
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TITLE: First , second and third! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Betty Frazer
05/29/08 -
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Why is it that we classify cousins as first cousin, second cousin or third cousin?
For me cousins are cousins whether they are your aunts or uncles children or the grandchildren of your aunts or uncles or the great grand or great great grand children of your aunts and uncles.
Cousins are cousins. When someone dies and you read the obituary it usually states that Mr. John or Jane is survived by cousins Mary, Danny, Jane etc. It never states they are survived by first cousins Mary and Danny and second cousins Sally and Donald. So why is it that in talking or when ask if we know someone we would usually reply “Oh yes Mary. She is my first cousin” or “Of course I know Donald. He is my second cousin first removed” Removed from what?
It is almost like talking about steps, The first set of steps, and the second and third set of steps. I guess the higher up you go on the steps the less you are related.
I think the only time we should think seriously about whether a cousin is first, seond or third generation cousins is in the terms of marriage. For we all know the consequences of marrying your first and second cousins.
Do you like or dislike your cousins according to whether they are first, second or third? I surely do not! I have some second and third cousins that I like more than some first cousins and vice versa.
Have you ever been to a family reunion and see how people seem to take great pleasure and unbelievable pride in saying they are your first cousin? They greet everyone by saying “Hi I am Cousin Ella’s first cousin!” First cousins even congregate together and sometimes seem to ignore second and third cousins. Is it because most first cousins are older and they have most of the same family memories in common? Perhaps at the next family reunion I will ask.
What cousin do you see yourself as? I know that I am a first cousin. Maybe someone else sees me as second or third but I know my age qualifies me to be a first cousin. I like being a first cousin even if it is only while I am alive for I know for sure in heaven God does not see as us first, second, third, fourth of fifth. He sees us all as his children and loves us all the same.
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