My sister-in-law texted me and asked if I was available to chauffeur my niece in the parade. I have a convertible, and it comes in handy for such occasions. Of course I said yes right away. My husband's reaction was not as agreeable. He didn't understand why I would want to drive 2 hours for a parade when I was so exhausted from driving Miss Daisy and her son all around Ohio. He responded, "Don't you think you should just take easy for a day?" I replied, "No, I have to do this because I am the cool aunt".
You see, I have the three coolest aunties ever. These women have dedicated their lives to my brothers and me to make sure that we knew that we were loved and special as we grew up. They made growing up fun. They took four children on their first airplane ride to Virginia Beach. This was not an easy feat considering we were 14, 12, 10 and 8! They taught each one of us to drive in the Wooster ATI parking lot. Of course this took guts considering we were only 13/14 years old at the time. They would read Cinderella to me over and over and over and over when I was a small kid. One Christmas they bought every one in the family an IZOD shirt. Each one of us had a different color! Mine was pink!!! Every Easter they would hide baskets some where in their house/yard. Then they would send us on a scavenger hunt with clues to find them. The older we got, the harder the clues were! Every year they took us to Cedar Point, and they would ride all of the rides with us. They would take us to OARDC on the weekends, and we would play hide and seek in the building. They were such rule breakers! They would always take us on tours of the local museums and special attractions. In general, we knew any time spent with Aunties Cheryl, Joyce and Joanne would be an adventure. Of course, no event would be complete without hearing Grandma Hershberger yelling at the aunties to act their age! The memories they created with us with sustain us long after the aunties have gone. Just as important, they have always supported up in our endeavors even when it was hard for them to do so. Their love is unwavering. We always thought they were the coolest people ever!
So you see the Auntie bar has been set high by these three wonderful, loving women. I'm the next generation of Auntie, and it is important to me that I, too, am a 'cool' auntie! I want to create special memories with my 17 and counting nieces and nephews that they can cherish when I leave this earth. So far, I think I've done a pretty good job. Over the years Rick and I have had sleep overs with all of them at our house. They still talk about sleeping in the closet. In fact the next generation of kids want to come and sleep in the 'magical' closet. Before you call Children's Services, it is a walk in closet and they called it the clubhouse. I spent hours waiting in line at Walden Bookstores to get Harry Potter books. I rode the Merry-go-round and the Octopus until I puked because someone wanted me to. I bought big girl makeup and put it in a big girl purse for a 4-year old because that was what she asked for. I have spent numerous hours at t-ball games, recitals, plays, musicals, and sporting events. For every birth and graduation, I made them a quilt to call their own. I have spent many hours on the phone listening to teen angst when they needed some to talk to when mom and dad wouldn't do. I have read '10 Little Monkeys' until I wanted to scream! I have spent many hours in the pig barns at the fair. Of course when they each get their learner's permit, they get to drive the convertible down the middle of town so their friends can see them driving the cool car. Thankfully no one sees my white knuckles grasping the door handle! I want to create memories with all of them and make sure that they too grow up like my brothers and I did loved unconditionally by our aunties.
So, if I have to give up a much needed day of rest to haul The Swiss Miss in the parade, then I shall. I know that someday she will look back on those days with the same fondness I have when I think back on the days I spent with the three most fabulous women I know. I have some big shoes to fill. I'm up for the challenge, and if I can fill them halfway, then I will consider myself a 'cool' auntie!
Make Every Day Count....
Auntie D
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