Kinfolk!

When i hear this word 'kinfolk' - the first thing that comes to my mind is 'sibling'. Having a sibling in your life is like a cornerstone - always a firm support. Since childhood you have this wonderful companion with you. You share more than a thing with your sibling. Sometimes you cant express your feelings, you cant tell whats on your mind to your parents, but a sibling's ear is eager and waiting to hear you. You are comfortable sharing all that and much more with them.

They dont just share a bloodline with you but also connect with your emotinal side. If you have an elder sibling you have a solid foothold, a strong protector. You have a guide who can share their experiences and warn you ahead of time to make sure you dont face similar challenges and ease your journey. If you have a younger sibling you have a die hard follower, an admirer, a disciple. Even if your sibling is younger to you, they still help you out with advises, ideas and a fresh and youthful outlook at things. Their ideas may be crude but can be useful enough, if polished.

Kinfolk also comprises of your cousins. Though not your siblings, your cousins are the ones you grew up with. Dont you miss those summer vacations - with house full of cousins - playing cards, outdoor games, eating together, fighting and quarelling over petty things, teasing each other knowing their weaknesses. You sure crave to go back in time, dont you?
When you have elder brothers you always have 'those knights in shiny black armor' ready to protect you, lend you ears to hear your difficulties and come to your rescue. When you have elder sisters, they are next to your mother, affectionate, warm, nuturing.
The younger cousins are equally loveable - they seek for your guidance, hide behind you when getting scolded, make you their spokes-person when in need.
You share secrets, have long talks at night - under the blanket, you laugh at common jokes, you have signs and signals to communicate without others noticing, you act crazy together, you just have fun!

Your big family is the best team you can ever have! You can always rely on your kinfolk during crisis, cause you know that they understand you better.

As we grow up we get busy with individual work, our kids, our spouses. But even though we are apart, we know that we still are connected with our kinfolk, with our hearts. The love can never wear off. We will always remember and cherish the days at our Grannys house - where cousins became best friends forever. And they will remain our homies - our gang till the end.
Its like a tree - the branches grow in all the directions - some grow thick, some thin, some strong, some fragile, some far, some near...but the roots remain 'one'. There will always be a common bonding which will bring back the kinfolk together - Because its the kinfolk that we love, honour, idolize, follow and just wont let go!



                                                                                                 JUI.