I am so happy to hear of this story, and want to commend both of you, and your cousin, on having enough love in her heart, self awareness, and courage to just do it- be who you are no matter what the reaction. And, it ended up paying off for you to have some beloved time with your cousin as well. I think another aspect with the extended family thing, at least when it comes to cousins vs. aunts and uncles, could also be generational; sometimes what I have found is the older the generation, the more difficult the embracing. The other part with parents is that they so often make it about themselves- "Where did I go wrong? This is my fault." That can take away from offering the support that their child/children, US, so desperately need. Good luck with any future steps you two take with either of your families- kudos all around!!!!
