Quinn Minute – Aunts, uncles, and cousins

My friend Mel just got back from an uncle’s funeral, where he met family members he did not know he had.

Personally, I’ve met more relatives at funerals than I have at weddings…but maybe it’s because weddings require an invitation.

Last month, my uncle told me that my third cousin had died. No, two cousins didn’t die before her. She was my third cousin because our great-grandmothers were sisters. Confusing, huh?

The word “removed” just means a different generation. So, my first cousin’s children would be my first cousins once-removed.

I had not met the deceased, but her obituary photo looked just like my uncle…but without the beard.

But I went to her memorial service so I could mingle with familiar relatives, plus meet new ones. As one of my buddies says, “You need to know cousins in several states, so you can travel cross-country for free.”