EVERYONE NEEDS AN AUNT LIKE MINE.
This is her with PJ in Versailles the week he had his cochlear implant surgery. It was May 2009.
Her name is Barbara, but she goes by Barb. You like her already, don't you? Barb is such a likeable-type name.
She and I have similar tastes in fabrics and candles and pictures, and we have similar thoughts on cherishing babies and what seems to me alot of other things. She's just a really good mom and aunt, and sweet & loving & I've never seen her lose her temper & I remember distinctly seeing her children jumping all over her when they were small, and she never yelled at them to stop. She has spent her whole life serving her family. She loves them implicitly. Like my mother, she has been a perfect role model for me as a human being in society, a friend, a mother, and wife.
Plus she's really good at shopping. I mean to say not that she spends alot of money, but she REALLY cares about buying the RIGHT gift, is thoughtful and (almost!) always right on the mark. She ALSO spends hours and hours making beautiful keepsakes with photos and designs AND she just knows what people like. That is a gift in itself.
When I was little, I remember she sent the most beautiful teeny jewelery box to me for my 5th birthday. She claims she didn't know that there were pierced earrings as part of the design, but I secretly forever loved her for it, because somehow in my 5 year old persuasion, I convinced my mom to pierce my ears that week...
When I was 14 she gave me a jean jacket with the funkiest, coolest paint all over it, no doubt made by a budding new artist. I still smile when I see it, even though by now, I may have outgrown the chili pepper and cow designs on it.
She bought my whole family telephones one year for Christmas. We all had very unique & fun & interesting styles. It was perfect. My brother & I were teens, and we each HAD TO HAVE our own phone in our own room! But she usually did not buy the same gift for everyone.
Her gift is always my favorite to open. I usually save it for the last at Christmastime. When I was younger & the gifts would arrive in the mail, I would open it weeks before Christmas, look at it, love it, sometimes try it on, then wrap it back up so no one knew what I had done! No one except my mom, cuz she did the same thing with me....us,giggling all the way through.
When Axelle was about 2, she asked John what he'd like for his birthday. He said, "NO more diapers". Wouldn't you know, the next thing we knew, she sent three very special, very motivating books on "potty time" for our little one (and us!).
When Parker was sick, she had recently had hip surgery, then flew out to be with us and help with the girls while PJ had his cochlear implant surgery. She was no doubt hurting and uncomfortable, but never said a word, she lovingly & patiently spoonfed him his medicines in his little 10 month-old mouth, smiling & talking & loving all the way through.
And one of her favorite things to do (or she's really good at faking!) is read to little children. MY little children. She will happily sit for hours and read & talk about things & show them pictures.
This summer, she came to California for my dad's birthday where I showed her Parker's little backpack that keeps his battery pack for his implant, that it had been stretched & torn & tied up & hand sewn (poorly) again & again by me. Wouldn't you know that within days of her departure, we had a package in the mail from her. With not only one new backpack, but 2! In adorable fabrics (unlike the lame one we had before), as well as 2 collared shirts (I always put him in collared shirts to clip his implant on) with 2 very cool pockets already integrated into the backside. She knows what kind of fabrics I would choose, she knows what kind of shirts I would buy for my son. She made them quickly & efficiently with love.
She calls them "PJ's POCKETS". I love them. I love her.
Everyone needs an aunt like her. Or a GREAT AUNT like her.
Thank you, Barb. I love you!
Thank you for loving my kids, for loving my husband, for teaching me and showing me how to love by your example!
