Thursday, March 17, 2011

Trying to get ready

I brainstormed a couple quick ideas for what to blog about today, I thought briefly "my tummy hurts." And then I thought that might seem unfair in the face of, well, the other major issue on my mind- I am going to be an Aunt "soon." I suspect sooner all the time. Maybe I should check my phone again, maybe I am an aunt already!

Not yet. But when I am, I'm going to be awesome at it. Because I am going to have pretty much the best nephew, the two go hand in hand quite well. I've been trying to imagine what that will feel like (and the actual parents can feel free to roll their eyes), but I am pretty sure this is going to be the coolest thing that will happen to me this year. And this is hopefully the year I get a real job, so the bar is pretty high. In all seriousness though, having an extra person just added into the family, well, that hasn't happened since Noel got married- and that went really well for me, too. I want to be awesome at it. There is a whole extra person- one who isn't even totally developed yet that I can influence, with explosive laughter and nerdy jokes. Someone who will make my world that much more exciting just by being in it. What a gift!

The phone still isn't ringing. I'm trying to imagine what it will feel like, for me, when I get the call that the little one is out in the world, and hopefully there are OMG-adorable pictures to follow. (I don't want to be demanding on the new family, but please let there be pictures). It's kinda weird not having people who can share in that excitement with me, or at least not to the same extent. My friends will be happy for me, but they don't get promoted to Auntdom, so surely they don't really get it. All the complex emotions- I'm related to someone who used to dig crystals out of a rock 'quarry' in the woods and collect dead bugs, and now he is going to have a bundle of pudge of his own. I guess I am trying to say, Noel and I were kids together- and now he is going to be really, 100% no-take-backs a grown-up. It makes me realize I've got some adult responsibilities now too- like to make the world the best possible place for my nephew. He deserves all the good things the world has to offer, and I need to get out there and make it happen! I surprise myself (and Matt) by feeling so strongly about this arrival, which will likely happen- which does happens all the time in the world- without actually changing anything about my daily life. Which makes it tough- I really want to do a great job at this, but I am the one who forgets to pay the rent. How can I fulfill this major responsibility to someone who I haven't even met yet?

I seem to have some extra time until The Call comes. Since I am completely inexperienced, I'm going to spend the intervening time thinking about what kind of aunt this baby needs, what kind of aunt I can be, and figuring out how to do that for him. I'm pretty sure that's what an awesome aunt should do.

1 comment:

Gordie said...

Well, from my perspective, great Autiness has been typified by Aunt Jeanne of the Thanksgiving Date. You know, the adult presence that could open the more intrigueing doors in the Hall of Life. Sure, the Vegas locale help with the process, but I always felt Noel had a secure sense of where he was welcome and encouraged that wasn't just at home where it was expected. Not a bad role to play, eh??