family friends

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. - C.S. Lewis

This was a weekend chockfull of being with people we love - friends, family and most of all family who are friends. First, a two-day Thanksgiving whirlwind with second cousins, third cousins and first cousins once removed, all of whom are some of the most beautiful people I know. All of whom doted lovingly on my boys. All of whom I wished I could have lingered with longer.

Second, a lunch with a cousin who knows me like no other. A lifelong friend with history and connection. A sister in, oh, so many ways.

Third, a dinner party with longtime friends with whom we can always and everywhere be ourselves. No topic is off limits for discussion. No joy goes uncelebrated. No sadness goes unseen.

Finally, a sibling bash with all eight adults and four children in attendance. An incredible culinary potluck, heavy on the pastry-wrapped brie and the brownies. A happiness and togetherness that just is. A preview of a long-awaited Christmas gathering - in which new uncle Tim will finally get to appear in the family photo!

It's true that friends and family who are friends are not needed for survival, but as the weekend showed, life would be just empty and sad without them. It was a true thanks giving.