My Auntiversary!

Today is my niece Abby’s tenth birthday. That means I’ve been an aunt for a decade. Whoa!

Ten years ago, I was still in college in California. I had no idea who I was or who I wanted to be. I did not believe in God, and actively mocked those who did. I also had no idea how much I was going to love playing with, laughing with, learning from, frustrating, encouraging, and absolutely delighting in this new, unknown person who entered my life on September 4th, 2001.

Happy Birthday Abby! I have been amazed by your first ten years, and I know the next ten will blow me away!

Here’s a little poem in honor of Abby.

Abigail’s an intelligent child:
Brilliant, precocious, and clever.
Her temper is sweet and usually mild.
Her in a rage? Almost never.

Excelling at logic and science and reading,
drawing and drama and learning new things.
She even gets math, without too much leading
And birds stop to listen whenever she sings.

Kind-hearted, sure-footed, and quick with a smile,
She knows how to comfort a friend in distress.
She swims like a mermaid and dances with style;
And always is modest, in heart and in dress.

I love her more than words ever convey,
From before she was born ‘til my last dying day.
When I get to heaven, I’ll praise God above
For giving me Abby, sweet niece that I love.