They sit in the sunlight, sharing dresses and sunglasses for their paper dolls. Each outfit becomes more absurd and each doll’s voice grows higher and sillier. Maddie’s fair skin shows traces of the “make-up” she carefully applied with felt marker while her mother wasn’t looking. Lila watches her older cousin and absorbs all of the wisdom that an almost-five-year-old can bring.

They swap stories and paper outfits. Their voices get louder as their laughter sings, “You are so funny! I am so funny!”

They laugh and run and shriek until the sun goes to sleep. Soon the visit is over, and it will be weeks until they see each other. But when their mothers get together again, and they’re set free to giggle and play, it will be like no time has passed. It’s the magic of being family. Of being cousins.

Happy Family Day, everyone! May it be a good one!