Being Auntie

 With AJ, Marielle and JR ( from long time ago )

As the world ( I'm not sure if it's the entire world exactly) celebrated "Mother's Day" a few days ago, I had this sudden question in my mind, "How come there's no such thing as 'Happy Aunt's Day'? ". I kind of toyed with it for awhile before coming up with this post. I mean, every woman at some point always becomes an aunt, before eventually becoming a mother or vice versa ( whichever comes first) And what led me to this musing? Well, I'm proud to say that I am an aunt. An "awesome" one, I might add. ( Though you have to ask AJ to confirm that, I  suppose)

I'm fortunate to have grown up with two wonderful aunts around. I'd like to think that they have impacted my life and I wouldn't be what I am today without them. And I'm not saying this, just to be on their good side because I am already. :-)

 with Tiya from way back when

Tiya is my father's older sister. I've been told that I am like her in some ways, especially in our passion for reading. Before I heard about Bones and House, I grew up on Tiya's stories. And I can still recall some of them. She has been instrumental in my love for books and even for writing. I know this may not be a big deal to some but to me, it is part of everything. Tiya has been unfailing in her kindness to us and I'm sure it's not only because we are her younger brother's children

with Mama, last November

Mama, on the other hand, is my father's younger sister. I really did not get to hang out with her until now ( well, only in my days off ) I thank God for that one particular day, when Mama taught me how to draw straight lines on a piece of paper and she noted how I did it well. She decided right there and then that I have a good head on my shoulders. She sent me to a private high school ( and also two of my younger sisters) and to a well-known university to get matriculated. Too bad, I had disappointed her in some of my choices. At first, I balked at the thought of her meddling in my affairs, without realizing that she just want me to have a good life. Fortunately, she hasn't given up on me. Now, thanks to Mama, I'm here in Canada.

My aunts have their own shortcomings and all, like everyone of us. Their lives may not be perfect but that does not discount the fact, that they've been and still good to us --- their nieces and nephews. And what's cool about them is that they never lord it over to us. They never throw it in our faces--all the help they did for us all through these years.

And I don't hear them saying, "Ta, it's now payback time." Instead, they instilled in me the value of paying it forward.

Now, that I am an aunt myself, I get to do what Tiya and Mama did for us. I have the opportunity to pay it forward to AJ, Marielle, JR, Jun-Ac, TJ, Marshmallow and Jandi  (quite a bunch, eh ) And I'm doing the "auntie" part well. I am "Tata" to them, except for the occasional 'mommy' if they're feeling extra endearing to me. I am happy that I have the means to provide for them. The only downside is that I don't get to hang out with them that much. I am fair to all of them, though AJ can get away with anything, if I'd let her. Of course, I will not hesitate  to smack her if she goes out of line.

Being auntie is something I did not look forward to, but when AJ came into my life, I embraced the part wholeheartedly. And that goes for the  rest of the bunch. I just hope they'll all turn out alright.

Maybe if I have some clout, I'd designate a special day for all the aunts out there. But then again, I don't need the world to recognized how an "awesome" ( really? ) aunt I am. My nieces and nephews can attest to that fact and that's all I ever need. And I'm sure Tiya and Mama don't need the accolades, it's enough for them to see that we're doing good in our lives.

To Tiya and Mama, a big, big thank you.....:-)