A Road Less Travelled

Today I am thankful for my nieces and nephew who live in Erie. My sister Adiel once asked me, as only Adiel can, if I loved Seth and Crystal’s children more than hers. My answer was that oh, so unsatisfactory answer that I loved them differently. The answer doesn’t always satisfy, but it’s true. With Seth and Crystal’s children I get to be a normal part of their lives. I’ve seen their first steps, their first reading attempt, their first climbing up the wall attempt, even in some cases their first breath. They are so used to me now that they think it would be odd if I didn’t live with them and Arianna has even cried at the prospect of me getting married and moving out. I belong here and to them in a way that can’t be said of any other children.

But I don’t get to be the fun aunt to these children. I have to be here everyday and my presence holds no special excitement. I have to speak sternly, take away privileges, mediate and judge between them and make sure they eat healthily. I try to be fun, but it’s a day-in day-out sort of fun.

When I go to Erie I get to be a fun aunt. I come into town with presents in my suitcase and no disciplinary responsibility. I can come to visit and be a special treat. When I talk on the phone with my nieces who can talk and my nephew it’s a treat, a joy. We tend to talk about more than just the message I need to leave for Crystal. And I love it. Li ly jabbers about the giraffes she saw at the zoo weeks ago, Olympia answers my questions in monosyllables and Malachi in only mostly comprehensible. It’s great. I’m looking forward to when they all get a little older and when I come to visit I can take them out somewhere. I imagine a lunch with Olympia and Lily and then further down the road with Evangeline too and it looks like so much fun. I want them to come visit me sometime and I’d take Malachi to a Classical concert down at Bradley. That’s the aunt I always wanted to be and am so thankful I can be sometimes.

So the answer holds. I love them differently and am happy to be their aunt in different ways. I don’t want to change my relationship with either set of nieces and nephews. And I am so thankful I have the chance to be an in-house aunt and a long distance aunt at the same time.

Arianna, Isaac, Samuel, Olympia, Lily, Noah, Malachi, Justice and Evangeline, I am so glad to be your aunt. I love you each and I love you all. I pray for you all, that you would walk the narrow path lying at your feet. It will be really hard sometimes, but it is more worth it than I can tell you. When the times come that you feel overwhelmed and lonely remember that your Titi Gaby loves you and is praying for you. I can’t wait to see what God makes of you all as you grow and change. Happy Thanksgiving, guys. May God be with you all your days and give you joy, peace, strength and wisdom. May you walk with Him all your lives and shine like stars in sky. Amen.