Blane

If you would have talked to me about six years ago about children, I would have laughed and said "who needs those?" In my younger years, I was definitely not a "kid" person, never babysitting or taking much interest in babies or little ones. Boy, do things change! At 26 years old, I have discovered my maternal instinct. Lookout now! Perhaps it was preciptated by the birth of my nephew, Blane, just about 2 1/2 years ago. I think I fell in love with him the moment my brother brought him out of the birthing suite to show him off to us. That love has only grown stronger throughout the last couple years. He is not even my child, but I would do anything for him. When he comes over to our house, we have "dance parties" (the boy just loves to dance), we hide from Dad under the covers in bed, and other fun activities. When Blane goes home and his mom shows him pictures of the family, he always giggles when he sees my picture. Hilarious, that he can associate my face with all the fun we have when he comes over. The other day he was playing in my sister's room, which is very girly, and artsy fartsy. The perfect playground for a two year old! He stared at every piece of decorating she had, gazed at her scads of jewellery, and even put on beads and necklaces. The jewellery and glittery make-up he put on his arm made quite a sight for him in the mirror. He could not stop looking at himself as he cooed "pretty". We all had a good laugh at the innocence of little children before they learn what is socially acceptable behavior for their gender. I can't wait to give him his purple Carebear, with pink hair ties for Christmas!! Ha ha. It will go well with his "mighty machines", diggers and dump trucks!

I definitely see the whole, other dimension children bring to a person's life. I find it truly amazing, how even one little kid can consume your thoughts, emotions, and life. I can only imagine what having two or three is like. I understand now how people can lose their personal identity to their children, as many housewives identities are wrapped up in their role as mothers. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, just that now I undestand how it can happen. I so look forward to seeing Blane, as spending time with him takes me back to such a simple time of my life, where I can act like a child, and forget about the everyday stresses and just be "Auntie Shannon". These new experiences has gotten me to appreciate children, their innocence and what they bring to our lives. I look forward to the day when I may have my own.