I'm really looking forward to this new role I have. I remember the fun times I had with my aunt who was the big sister I didn't have. Some of my earliest memories are times spent with her. (In fact, one of my very first words was "Ne Ne" for my Aunt Kendra.) Auntihood is a unique relationship-a motherlike bond with discipline on the down-low. I mean being an aunt is kind of like being a mom-just with no strings attached. You know--
no 2 a.m. mealtimes or diaper changes
no Two's Company when you need a bathroom break
no 4 handed typing, or cooking, or folding laundry. . .
no one-handed pecking or cooking or laundry. . . while holding a babe
no wondering whatever happened to TGIF
no puzzling over the fascination of trash cans, toilets, mud pies, and house plants
I could go on, but hey, I don't want to give Tony any ideas. For now the only thing I have to worry about is giving lots of snuggles and what I shall be called. . . Aunt Danielle, or Aunt Nellie, or maybe Auntie Nell. . . .
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Tony, I promise we weren't trying to hurt you. We were just getting you used to a wild bunch of cousins and your future siblings. . . lots and lots of siblings!
Dominic, Tessa, Joanna, and Tony at Thanksgiving at Great-Grandmas
Tony at Christmas
Tony, you have a special place in my heart. You are perfect-just how God made you. You have a good Mommy and Daddy who will raise you, not in the ways of this world, but in God's light so we can spend forever in eternity. We pray for you every night in our "God Bless" prayers. Remember those saints whom you were named after and follow in their footsteps. I look forward to watching you grow-physically and spiritually in the years to come. Your aunt loves you!
To My Brother and Sister-In-Law:
How to Raise a Child
Raising a child is not an easy task.
Learn, love, forgive, and grow- now that's quite a feat
whose secret recipe is hard to unmask.
Advice you find from family and friends,
the media, a book, or folks on the street
about how to raise your child, or so its penned.
But I've discovered the best aid around!
Help you can seek day or night, in calm, storm or sleet;
anytime and anywhere it can be found.
Inquire the best sippy or catechize birds 'n bees.
Such a treasure shouldn't be put on the back seat.
Where might be this place you ask? Why, upon your knees!
Congratulations on your new baby boy! He'll bring much love and hope and joy!