Travels with the Aunt

Postings for the next week will more than likely be few and far between; my 13-year-old niece (that's an old pic of her; sorry, Steph!) is coming today and will be staying with us for a week, to explore the big city, eat lots of good food, and tolerate her Aunt and Uncle's many idiocyncracies.

A few words about my niece. She's my brother's oldest child, and she's one hell of a smart kid. Loves books (thank god) and does well in school. She has a great sense of humour (also thank god), and she draws cartoons which are eerily similar to the kind of stuff I did when I was her age. She has a great singing voice, and a real theatrical flair. She's an award-winning highland dancer and ballet dancer. She has a very curious mind, and asks way too many questions. I adore her.

In fact, she's a lot like I was when I was a kid, except that she is bursting with confidence, something that I sadly lacked when I was her age. It's funny what a difference a generation makes. When I was a kid, we had no aunts or uncles or grandparents that lived near by. Nada. It was just our nuclear family and that was it. When life got stressful (as it often did) there was no relative to turn to for relief. My niece on the other hand, sees her grandparents on a regular basis, and she has oodles of aunts and uncles and cousins to visit and kvetch with. I'm so happy that's she's blessed with the kind of extended family that I never had, but I won't deny that a little part of me is envious. Oh well. But that's how these things turn out, isn't it? We give to the next generation all of the things that we never had. And it really does feel so good to give.

Comments

[R J Keefe]

Why not let Stephi guest-blog during her vacation?

[patricia]

Funny you should say that, RJ! I had been thinking about that very thing.... I'll make the suggestion to her and see how she responds. She likes to write, and she loves an audience, so it may appeal to her.

[Bob Row]

Interesting...my nuclear family was rather sad and cold as my father died right after I was born. On the other hand, my extended family provided me with a sense of safety and warm. In the end it can be said that I never learned to be a real grown "pater familiae" but went to be a stubborn believer in Humanity.

Maybe others readers noticed this kind of relationship in their lives?
(Sorry, Paty, I don't try to kidnap your blog)

[monique]

Book recommendation:

Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer

I'm just starting it. It's about a dancer asked to pose for Edgar Degas. An author’s note is included about the real model for Degas’ famous sculpture, Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen. So far it's good.

[Tartrazina]

Couldn't agree more with your last two lines! I just blogged about my niece too! weird!!!

[Scully]

Would she like to come to Paris with me? Seriously. She's a cool kid. You're a cool kid too.

It's true isn't it? I cannot believe the confidence young girls have now. I didn't. My life was still about not being good enough.

Have a great time!

Au revoir!

[patricia]

Have a wonderful trip, Scully!

Oh, my niece would just LOVE to go to Paris with you! And so would I!

I have discovered this week while shopping with her that the child has VERY expensive tastes. She had quite a kick exploring Holt Renfrew. And I cannot begin to express how sore my feet are from all the walking.....