I didn’t intend to do another post today, but I’ve been looking through the photos I took over the past week, and I’m starting to see things I didn’t notice before.
I just took this photo of a silver locket.
It belonged to my mother. I wore it on the day of her memorial service because of the two pictures inside it.
Those are my oldest two nephews, Daniel and Josh, when they were babies (they are cousins, not brothers). They have been the source of nothing but joy to me for most of my life. I rocked them as babies. Played with them as kids. Treasured them as teens. Watched them grow into amazing young men and start families of their own.
During the service, I found my gaze returning to the two of them over and over again. My heart always leaps with joy when I see them for the first time, and thereafter it overflows with love every second I get to spend with them. It’s better than being a parent, because I never had to worry about them or teach them or discipline them. Much like my mother, their grandmother, I just got to enjoy them.
As I said, I was looking through photos, and there is one of me with the two of them. I know that I’m drawing strength and happiness from their presence, as always.
Then I began to giggle when I saw what one of them did. Is it the one who looks serious and beyond all that? Or is it the one fighting his smile?
Josh, Becky, Daniel
When the two of them were saying their goodbyes to each other, Josh said, “Well, see you in another twenty years.” And Daniel glanced over at his Aunt Debby and me with a speculative expression and said, “Maybe only fifteen.”
Vulture.
How I love them.
You’re so lucky to have the family you have—and they’re so lucky to have you.
This entry made me feel all warm an dfuzzy.
Your hair’s gorgeous in the picture. And my money’s on the guy in the brown shirt as the guilty party.
David–oops! I mean, Daniel did it.
What lovely young men.
You’re right in that Aunts get the best of both worlds – looking after them, watching them grow, giving and receiving unconditional oove, but with none of the immediate parental responsibilities.
(I vote for Josh in the finger puppet section! He looks as if under that sober suit he has a wicked sense of humour . . . )
This post touched me so my dear. I think because I can identify with so much of your feelings about watching them grow up. I hope my own little ones and I are as close as you and your “Little ones”.
“How I love them” indeed.
what a lovely picture of the 3 of you!
I vote it was the perfectly wonderful and amazingly silly kid in the beanie. The fondness with which he speaks of you shows the obvious influence you have had in shaping the man Daniel is. His humor and intellect brighten every situation and I am thankful for him every single day. -Aimee
You made me cry. In a good way. Thank you for appreciating this amazing man.