Better Than An Apology

[ladysprite]

So I've mentioned my friend's daughters here before, particularly her middle child, of the Cold Chef Boyardee Ravioli Incident, and the fact that they often serve as my reminder of precisely why I am childfree.

What I often neglect to mention is that, in spite of that, I love these kids almost as much as I would if they were my own - particularly, of course, the middle child. She's sweet and silly, and she gets frustrated a lot of the time because she's neither the oldest nor the baby, and... well, I can empathize with needing to be something special, and feeling like you're not. She deserves to be someone's favorite, so I decided a couple of years ago that she would be mine.

I stopped by their house yesterday afternoon to pass the time of day and chat with my friend, and all three girls were there playing. As we were gossiping and griping about work, the baby (who is honestly a toddler by now, but will probably be 'the baby' until either her prom or a fourth child comes along) decided to try to climb the porch's support pillars. I started to give her a hand up, fulfilling my important role as Bad Influence, only to plant my hand firmly on a soggy diaper.

After shooing her inside to get changed and washing my hands about half a dozen times, I went back out onto the porch and found Middle Girl. "C'mere," I said. "If I can't pick the baby up, I'll pick you up."

I swung her up into a hug, and she wrapped her arms and legs around me. We danced around the yard and I hummed and sang to her as we watched the sun and the birds and the flowers, and I asked her if she was having a good summer.

She nodded, and I asked her what her favorite part was.

She wrapped her arms tighter around my neck, and I could feel her grin against me. "This is."


.....okay, sometimes I can kind of see why people have kids.

Comments

[kightp.livejournal.com]

Awwwww ...

I had more than a few of those sorts of experiences with kids of my own friends over the years, though I never felt the need to have any of my own.

What's really cool is when they grow up and still love you. (-:

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Just when you think it's safe, they can be very sneaky.

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

See, I know I'm perfectly safe (tubes tied years ago, and as near as nevermind menopausal), and yet when my coworker brought his new baby to the office and she made squeaky noises like a kitten, I was unable to resist going "Aww". I didn't want one, but it was still so damn cute.

[felis-sidus.livejournal.com]

Hooray for Bad Influences! It's a special, and important role. Lucky you and lucky kids to have such a wonderful Bad Influence.

[anu3bis.livejournal.com]

They drive you crazy, and they make you proud. They try to kick the cat, then sit still for two hours working through an entire maze book designed for kids twice their age. You see bits of both you and your S.O. in them, and it's both fun and scary. It's not for everyone, especially if you're fond of spontaneity, but I think it's awesome.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

And this is why I've chosen the life I have.*laughs at myself*

[auntiemame67.livejournal.com]

This. This is so very cool. I had a special aunt when I was a kid. And you know, when I became a teen and had problems with my parents, boys, school, whatever, she was the one I turned to, inasmuch as I turned to anyone. If Middle Girl trusts you like this now, and you keep doing what you're doing, you may very well be her trusted confidant when she is old enough to really need one. I think all teens need that special "aunt" or "uncle" they can turn to, who won't automatically rat them out to the parents, but who will listen... really listen, and be able to help when necessary.

This is my goal for my nieces, and children of other relatives and friends. Don't know how I will do, but that's my goal :)

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwww...

[evcelt.livejournal.com]

Nice.

Being a middle child myself, I tend to empathize with them, too...