In A Way, It's A Penance

Nearly 8 years ago a cousin of mine said something to me that has stuck with me ever since. I'm not going to tell you what it was, because it was something that I judged him pretty harshly for. In fact, I've spent most of my life with a strong dislike for this family member of mine. I was never close with him even though we are only months apart in age. He always rubbed me the wrong way. Even when we were little he would tease me until I cried. And as adults, in our limited interactions with each other it seemed that we always disagreed and disapproved of each other. I've tried not to give it much thought and I've just brushed our mutual dislike for each other aside. But even though I haven't seen or talked to this cousin in years and probably won't have the opportunity to see or talk to him for many more years (unless my brother decides to get married - there's a slim chance I would see him then), I do think about him every now and then. Last night was one of those times. I thought back to this stupid thing he said to me almost a decade ago and realized that he was right. And for a moment I wanted to see him and talk to him again and tell him that after all this time, I finally got it. I now see exactly what he was talking about. But I'd also tell him that he's still a jackass.