I have four nieces and two nephews, and they are all truly a joy in my life. But in particularly, my sister's three daughters are amazing. My sister and I have been very close for the past couple decades and I would say that my nieces know me nearly as well as my own kids do. They are 16, 11 and 7, so my girls at nearly 9 and 7 fit right in the mix, and they are the closest of cousins. We lived nearby and saw each other weekly or more until five years ago when my family moved a couple hours north. These girls light up my life and I can't get enough of them. I try to get to their events when we can and, when I do, I find myself choking up routinely. They are kind and smart and funny and athletic and beautiful inside and out. I feel so lucky every time they email me, or let me in to their Facebook or Twitter worlds, so I can have some small part in that piece of their lives.
I thought after my sort of morose posts lately, a big dose of remembering my joy was in order! I get to go see my eldest niece play basketball tomorrow night in a big game, and the rumor is some boy is intending to ask her to the junior prom at the game, so I absolutely can't wait to be there! The only downside is that my sister, and my other two nieces, can't be there...
You are some mighty sweet auntie! How great that your families are close and that your kids know each other so well. My siblings and I were not going to have the big huge brood type family from which we originated but we made sure that our kids knew each other - no strangers among those 20 plus cousins. And more than once, I have played the role of in loco parentis for a niece of nephew - always a privilege for me to be a trusted confidante. In April , as a matter of fact, I will be traveling to NYC to be the celebrant at my nephew's wedding. I still don't understand why he asked ME but I am honored (and am now an ordained member of the Universal Life Church.
ReplyDeleteJT you are braver than I - I would never be able to officiate a wedding for someone I love. I get SO choked up at emotional moments. Enjoy it!
DeleteSarah, I am not sure if braver is the right word? Perhaps oblivious? I will say that I am so comfortable with Tim and his sweetheart that I know nothing I say or do will upset them. If I were to get a little misty eyed, they would likely find that endearing. I just can't get over their invitation. Too much!
DeleteI haven't given up hope, JT, that I will be able to make that trip also; after Ireland, NY seems like a breeze, especially since Hurricane Irene is past us now. Sarah, connections with nephews and nieces, especially with technology, has become very important to me, since my emergence from my mental tunnel. Thank you for a look at the way it might have been.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of what "might have been" Mark, I'm sure you are savoring what IS.
DeleteI'm so glad you found yoursrlf some joy!! Have you given anymore thought to doing the photo challenge? I've found it to be an incredible help in grounding me in the right now instead of getting mired in all my worries of what next!
ReplyDeletethe best I can say is that I'm enjoying your photo challenge! My "little stones" writing challenge kicked me in the butt at Day 15...so not sure I could keep up with the photo challenge. I love the idea though and will keep it in mind!
DeleteFingers crossed for a good game. ;)
ReplyDeleteDue to crappy roads, we ended up too late for making the game - I was so upset but had to make the grown up call to instead head for home. Luckily, though, we found it on the radio and I was shrieking in the car all the way. And her team won a nail biter, with my girl getting a KEY defensive rebound in the last minute. She just texted me with a photo of her with a sign held up by a boy at the game "Hey Johns, PROM?" on it...two happy faces also texted so I'm guessing she said OK! What a night for her! I couldn't be more proud.
DeleteExcellent! :)
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