Before I was ever a mother, I was an aunt, the next best thing. I had two nieces and one nephew, Diane, Rey, and Cris. I have four other nieces and nephews younger than my daughter. I love them all. Each has a special memory engraved in my heart which I will share with you. I’ll start with the ones older than my daughter, my side of the family....

Diane: She loves animals, especially dogs; always has. One day, for Halloween, when she was ten, I helped her with her costume. She was to be a wicked witch. I helped her with her makeup. When she was done, her face was all green complete with hairy warts, some teeth were blackened, her hair was gray and disheveled, and her dress was ragged. We went out and no sooner were we outside the building when a dog was approaching us. Diane, of course had to pet it. The poor dog took one look at her and ran into the middle of the street yelping. Diana ran after it, afraid it would be run over. I ran after her. The dog was still yelping and trying to outrun Diane.

It’s funny now but back then I couldn’t get Diane to stop crying and I couldn’t get my legs to stop shaking. I retouched her makeup and we continued our trick-or-treating. The dog made it safely across the street.

Rey: He is a sweet, kind, and gentle young man; always has been. I loved taking him with me everywhere. If people thought he was my son I would not correct them.

On one such occasion, we were walking in front of some construction workers having lunch. I held on to my three year old cutie and kept walking. The men started whistling and one shouted, “Mamacita!” Rey let my hand go, ran up to the man and with bravery scolded the man, “She is NOT your mamacita! She is my aunt!”

He is now the father of two beautiful girls. No doubt he will defend them forever as well.

Cristina: I call her “my present” because she was born on my birthday.

We knew my sister was due around the time of my birthday but my husband decided we could still spend the weekend in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my favorite weekend spot. The first thing I did once we got there, after a four hour drive, was to call my sister and see how she was. No answer. Argh!

My husband suggested we call every hour but to enjoy our time there in the meantime. When he realized my heart was in New Jersey (where my sister lived at the time), Carlos suggested we call the hospital. Voilà! They had a Connie P. in the labor room. We got in the car and drove to New Jersey.

Visiting hours were over by the time we got there, sans flowers, but we did see her through the window. She was the most beautiful baby there. Of course! It was my birthday! I deserved it!

"Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future."
~Gail Lumet Buckley