Aunt Jane

My aunt Jane is my father's kid sister. I believe she's a half-sister (different mother). He also has a brother and another kid brother (half brother who is younger than me), all younger than he. That's my dad's side of the family. Pretty wild. But Aunt Jane was a force for good in my life. 

She lived with my family I think after she was done with college and before she got married and had kids and all that. She paid attention to me and we had similar interests, so naturally, we had a lot of fun. Except for that time I took her perfume sprayer apart (I was always taking things apart). Aunt Jane is funny, quirky, has curly red hair, and loved all things artistic. The photo dump above shows us coloring something together. The last photo is reprising my role as Tiny Tim. By the way, our house was always trashed like this. I mean, stuff was everywhere. My parents' home is still a disaster. I suggested many times they have a garage sale to get rid of stuff (or many garage sales). They both grew up poor so have accumulated many things over the years. First-generation wealthy folks (we were upper-middle class at the time) tend to accumulate a lot of stuff and are reluctant to thin their belongings. I personally prefer a lack of clutter. But I live with a 5-year-old who brings home many rocks and sticks and creates all sorts of ... whatever they are, which I have to put somewhere. He also installed "security cameras," so I'm sure he'll know if I move anything to the trash bin. So, my little abode is cluttered too, but not for lack of trying. 

Aunt Jane, by taking me under her wing and calling me her buddy, made me feel special. She influenced me with her enthusiasm and willingness to spend time with me. We shared a love of creating things. Art was our bond. Besides my mother, no one else in my family gave a hoot about my artistic talents (mediocre as they may be). So, I give her credit for my continued love of creating and seeking out beauty. And, perhaps, for laughing at my weird sense of humor, of which she possessed an equal.

Today, we follow each other on Instagram. She is still enthusiastic about the photos I post of the place she used to live and enjoy — the Black Hills. Even today she supports what I do. What an uplifting spirit. Thank you, Aunt Jane, for being a friend to that little boy who will never forget. Sorry about your perfume sprayer. 

Thank you for reading, and God bless.