A-n-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n, a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen. The day I had my child is one of the most amazing days of my life. Now my brother and his wife are about to have their first child. I’m excited for them and for our families. I’m about to have a nephew, and my vocabulary isn’t deep enough to express how thrilled I am about this new little being! From the moment I knew he existed I have loved him.

We are anticipating his birth. I’m not usually a very patient person but there’s nothing like spending nine months thinking about this tiny new life to infuse waiting with happiness. Now that he is past the day he was to be born, I am bursting at the seams to meet this little baby.

I happen to be blessed with lots of aunts and uncles. I love them all but some of them are more special than others. They’ve left me with amazing memories and lots of love and guidance. I look to them for comfort and share with them my joys and pains. I feel at home with them. I feel special. I hope my nephew feels the same about me.  

I think of all the ways my daughter’s aunts and uncles have enhanced her life. They are the people that make her feel like she is a princess. They are the ones that make a big deal about her milestones. Birthdays, graduations, piano recitals are all so much more special because of them.  They spend time really getting to know her. They play with her, they read to her and talk to her about things she only shares with them. They mean a great deal to her and she to them.

I remember the first day my daughter met my sister-in-law. I knew that it was important to my brother that my Sophia liked his new love. My brother and my daughter have always had a special connection. Thankfully, she loved her new aunt from the moment she met her! She has great taste, as does my brother.

I know there are lots of aunts and uncles who don’t take the task too seriously, but that’s not the case with us. This little baby has aunts and uncles on both sides waiting to embrace, protect, love and guide him along with his parents.

The beauty of being an aunt is that I can love him, spoil him and make him feel special without the burden of disciplining him. That’s something that his parents will have to do.

As I wait and anticipate, I think of the miracle that you are my little one. You are loved by so many even before your arrival. Your mother has nurtured you, your father adored you, your grandparents, aunts and uncles all love you.

Until the day you come…..we wait happily with anticipation.