Let them be Aunts!

Let them be Aunts!

written by Stephanie Gillispie

As the youngest of four kids, I never got the chance to teach my little brother how to ride a bike or braid my little sister’s hair. I was always the one being told I was too young or not big enough to do what my older sisters were doing. That was until I was fourteen.

I was in Florida on spring break with a friend when my mom called me to let me know my brother’s girlfriend was in labor and I would get to meet my new nephew when I got home. At that moment, I was no longer the baby of the family. I was now an aunt. Something that none of my friends or classmates had experienced yet. Once my brother and sister-in-law went back to work, my mom worked from home and watched the baby during the day, making me the handoff at 3:30 when I got home from school. I didn’t mind this as I soon learned I could cuddle up with him while he was napping and not have to do any chores. No one ever wakes a sleeping baby.

Eighteen years later, I am now blessed with 10 nieces and nephews. Each of my siblings have two or three kids each and my husband’s sister has two kids, the youngest being just three months old. Let me tell you what a joy it has been to watch these little humans learn to walk and talk, throw a ball, and how to push mom’s buttons.

I’ve had the opportunity to teach my nephew to ride a bike only to watch him now at 18 drive a pick-up truck and pop a wheelie with his dirt bike. A few summers ago, my sister flew her seven-year-old son from Alaska to Michigan so that he could spend 10 days enjoying Aunt Steph’s farm. My other sister has three daughters ages eight, seven, and four. These girls will keep you on your toes. The oldest is a spitting image of her mother and the youngest acts a lot like I did when I was young. Being able to see similarities between two generations is both heartwarming and comical. These little moments in life are so special and, as you can imagine, go by quickly.

I’ve learned being an aunt doesn’t guarantee you a spot in a child’s life. You have to work for it. It is not up to the child to invite you to their soccer game or to video call you from the

other side of the country. As the adult, you have to put in the effort to be involved. I’ve also learned if you put in this effort, it can be very rewarding. Nothing is better than having a mini version of yourself come running up to you yelling, “Aunt Steph! Come play with me!”

I am so proud of the parents each of my siblings have become. They are the reason I have such awesome nieces and nephews. When I was younger, I didn’t know the love an aunt can have for a child. I can honestly say I would do anything for these kids. I am honored to be a part of their lives and if there is only one name I went by for the rest of my life, it would be Aunt Steph.

“Only an aunt can hug like a mother, share secrets like a sister, and love like a friend.”