Once upon a time...

Once upon a time there was a little girl--about to turn 3 years old. Her birthday party was to be held in the downstairs of her grandfather's church. This little girl was silly about always wanting to look girly and pretty for every occasion...for this one, she wanted two little blonde braids sticking out of her head. Quickly, someone volunteered to grant her wish. This person was Auntie Shelly. Even when the little girl squirmed around on the fold-able table that was set up, Auntie Shelly never yelled or yanked the pieces of hair too tight. When she finished, the 3 year old was confident that she looked perfect for her party and was excited and ready to start her new year.

A few years later, this same little girl discovered her auntie's closet. She found lots of things to play dress up with...new shoes and jewelry, all sorts of things. Each time she would come out with a new outfit or pair of shoes on, her aunt would convince her that she was the prettiest and most precious girl in the world. She never even complained of the way her closet would look like a tornado swept through   afterwards.

Even later, at 7 years old, the child decided she wanted a barbie cake. One with the head sticking out and the cake looking like a princess ball gown. Who volunteered to be the baker and decorator of that cake? Auntie Shelly. Nothing was as exciting to her the girl on her special day as the perfect cake that was a purple and white princess--just like she wanted.

Jumping further along to the girls 16th birthday when she was missing her boyfriend and battling a cold. The girl woke up in the morning to find out her auntie had gone out and picked her up a dunkaccino from dunkin donuts to make her feel better--and certainly succeeded.

Have you guessed who that girl is yet? It is me. I had the chance to spend a weekend with my auntie recently and i realized again just how blessed i am. She took me out to dunkins in preparation for a photo shoot in the freezing cold. when i say freezing cold, don't you think for a minute i just mean chilly. i mean FREEZ.ING. COLD! She froze her fingers off just to make me smile (no pun intended!) . She is the very same one who is always encouraging and so selfless that is amazes me. She gives of herself so much to other people that it motivates and inspires me nearly every day to be like Christ--the one who it is so evident she is seeking to mimic.

She is such a great role model to me and i love her so very much.