Like a Mom

Moms do all those "mom" things that moms do, and they do it 24/7.  Nobody can replace mom, she's our bread and butter, so to speak.  Aunts are a different story, having a most unique place in the family pecking order.  Oh so close to being a mom, but possessing the exclusive ability to waive the more mundane duties and tasks.  In essence, they have the best of both worlds.  Aunts are like a mom, with sugar on top.

While we probably didn't understand the particulars of Aunt Sharon being mom's little sister, we did know that her bedroom was at Grandma's house.  We loved her room, complete with stuffed animals and a pretty vanity with white ruffles.  Life was just a bit sweeter when Aunt Sharon was around.

"Aunt Sharon is here!" were magical words.  We felt her love for us.  She had a never ending supply of hugs, was more fun than any baby sitter, and never, ever, ever forgot special occasions.  Kathy and I were the flower girls in her wedding and we felt just like little princesses on that special occasion.    

Aunt Sharon's presence remained with us, even though she lived far off in a place called Texas.  We were tickled pink whenever we'd find a little something from her in our mailbox.  There were cards for birthdays and other special occasions, and cheerful letters on cute stationery.  She always took time to choose the perfect postage stamp, and they came from places with street names like Wedgewood Lane and Shannon Place that sounded like they came straight out of a story book.    

A literal lifetime has flown by, Aunt Sharon's influence always near and dear.  I'm now grown, and older than Grandma ever was, but somewhere deep inside, that little girl is still there, the one who gets so excited when she hears, "Aunt Sharon is here!"  Thank goodness that some things in life never change.