Favorite Auntie

Saturday, February 16, 2013
I've been in Ohio for the last several days for a family funeral. The service was very nice, and the Priest who did the homily focused on celebrating the life of the Smart Man's Aunt, which is always a tone I appreciate at a funeral. Doom and gloom at these times is Not Helpful - death is a natural part of life, and we must learn to face it with grace and dignity. For me this means showing thanks for having the deceased in my life, so a good service.

My Smart Brother-in-Law, the father of my Awesome, Awesome Niece is here with us, of course. Since he's never been away from his daughter, we've been doing a lot of Facetime with my Amazing Sister-in-Law and the baby. And during this time, my status as the "Favorite Auntie" has been firmly established, which is my bit of positivity for today.

Every time my Smart BIL gets his family on Facetime, my Awesome, Awesome Niece has been immediately looking into the camera and saying "Niece? Niece?" - her name for me, since "Janiece" is a bit tough to say for a not-yet-two-year-old. There are four of us here, including her Dad, Grandma and Uncle, but she's been consistently asking for her favorite Auntie, because she's wonderful like that. Dad? Chopped liver. Grandma? Whatever. Uncle? Never heard of him. She wants her "Niece." Go, me.

Bonus positive: When she does ask for the Smart Man, she calls him "Ick." My husband, Uncle Ick. For his part, he doesn't care what she calls him, as long as she calls him. Go, us.

7 comments:

mom in northern said...

"J" is a hard letter for little ones. I was known and "Dude" by my cousin Jan...Glad you are getting some time with the little one. A pleasent distraction at a tough time...Lov to you all...

- CGL - said...

I just want you to know how very much I appreciate that you are able to combine "grace and dignity" so effortlessly with "Uncle Ick."

Have been thinking of you and your family much over the past few days. Sending care and courage and strength in whatever measures most needed.

-Carolyn

Janiece said...

Thanks, Carolyn. Looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks!

Random Michelle K said...

Is anyone else allowed to call the Smart Man Uncle Ick?

What if we stand reeeeally far away when we do it?

Stacey said...

::snirk:: Uncle Ick indeed. It's always nice to be the favorite.

Janiece said...

Michelle, he truly doesn't care. The Awesome, Awesome Niece pretty much gets a pass on everything, and so, by extension, does "Uncle Ick."

mcreysme said...

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