On Being an Aunt

I have been many things in my life, gorilla keeper, conservationist, photographer,………but perhaps the one title I cherish most is being an Aunt. Today my family celebrates the 28^th birthday of my niece, the oldest of the bunch. My nieces and nephews range in age from 28 down to 13, each of them unique, charming and lovely in their own way. They are an interesting and diverse crew, one  is  an amazing photographer and a traveler, her brother an avid snowboarder is spending this winter out in Colorado doing what he loves best.  A nephew is finishing up his final year of college while another has just started that journey. One kid still in high school is taking college courses, works and plays HS football. One niece is so hysterically funny and disarming she keeps the whole family in stitches. Some play soccer, some softball, some ride horses. They all have a love for cooking and one of my favorite things to do is spend the day baking with them, one nephew is a budding chef.  All the girls seem to share a love of cozy space - making your room your own signature space. The youngest has just discovered the joys of gardening - and she too is a photographer.  I have been most fortunate that I have sister-in-laws all of whom have shared their amazing kids with me.

But it is the eldest, the one I have known the longest who this blog is for. I remember the day your mother told me she was pregnant with you, standing in Grandma and Grandpa’s kitchen - how thrilled all of us were, each of us so looking forward to meeting you. In your early twenty’s you lived for a year in Korea teaching English to little kids - you are an adventurer. Now in addition to working full-time you are working on your Master’s degree - since a little girl you have always been a hard worker. This last year you were married and what a joy it was for all of us to be there to witness your happiness. When you come to town, there is nothing more I enjoy than sitting in my living room chatting late into the night with you. You have inspired me with your wisdom, your ability to be thankful for the daily blessing we each have - how did you figure that out at such a young age - took me decades. What a lucky Auntie I am indeed to know such a person as you.