"Dear! dear!" ~ Jane Eyre

This little man has become my biggest joy in my life.

September 1 will mark three years since my mother left a message on my answering machine; it is saved on the machine to this day and I replay it from time to time. Her excited voice cried, "Amy...its seven o'clock...its a BOY!" A day later I sat in the hospital room with my sisters with this little baby boy. Missy had him cradled in her arms, Robin was standing by the bedside, and I was sitting in a chair by the window. We just stared at each other - the sisterhood would never be the same, but in a good way, for here was this little boy touching the dynamics of our sisterhood.

I think my favorite role in life right now is as Maimy. I had tried so hard to teach him the word "aunt," but Maimy became his title for me. He says it so tender and lovingly, though I know when he is one day a teenager he is going to turn it into a term of endearment with a different tone in his voice! Ah, so be it. That is what unconditional love is all about.

I love Jack wholly, but there are parts of him that I also love. For three years old, there is so much to his personality already that makes him adorable beyond his mop of curly hair and scrunchy smile. He is quite gregarious, able to entertain a room with his dancing and singing. He is stubborn like his grandfather and great-grandfather before him. He is polite, saying please and thank you often. He shares with others, and he is very concerned about other children around him. He has a curious personality and a sense of adventure that make playing with him the best times of my week. He has a memory like an elephant, too, reminding me lately that I am getting him a Thomas the Tank Engine wooden play table for his birthday.

The above photo of a deer and a dear was taken just today at a local game farm. I am so fortunate to be the aunt of this child, for all the brightness you see on his face has permeated my life so richly.