A Question Questioned

Short story about family titles

Grandma had this huge quilt frame with legs folded against the frame hanging from the ceiling in the front room. She let it down and unfolded the legs when the women in our family came to visit. They would sit around the frame, sew on patches, drink tea, and gossip until the sun went down.

The kids, that’s me included, had the freedom of the afternoon. The kids were brothers, sisters, and first, second, third or “somewhat removed” cousins. I never understood “somewhat removed.” When one of the older folks became frustrated trying to get me to understand those family titles, they would say we are all “kin folk” and walk away.

It is now, decades later, and I still use “kin folk” when talking about my family members. When asked for a family title, I simply ask what part of “kin folk” they do not understand.

Reviews

[Marie]

Kinfolks is a good, all inclusive title.