Aunts. Who doesn't have them? I did. Quite a few, including my Mom's own sisters. Each one unique in her own way. While each one was reasonably loving, she did tend to be rather dominating. Probably because my Mom was the youngest in the family. In fact, she was just three days old when her oldest sister got married. Can you imagine? So it was only natural for everyone to see her more as a child than a sister.
Over the years, the authoritativeness only grew. Somehow, no matter what, they always knew best. I giggle when I recall those times when I would cajole them into seeing my point of view, much to my Mom's amusement. After all, I was also well on my way to becoming an aunt! I have to admit though, they did love me and enjoyed telling me how unlike my Mom I was. Not really funny . . . Still!
To inaugurate this year's A to Z Challenge, I've got A for Anju gracing this space today with An Account of A visit to an Aunt's House.
You know A for Anju. She's been here before.
Anju is the kind of precocious pre-teen who will shoot a video to tell me how "awesome" she thought my cake was.
She's the kind of loving gal who'll very very rarely let a day go by without coming over and spending some time with me.
She'll make things for me-sweet little things I love to pin on my shelf, next to my desk where I can see them and smile.
She's a talented artist and singer.
She's smart and shares my love for Columbo - I am thrilled to be the one to introduce the series to her.
She loves fruits . . . and in fact, that assured her a permanent place in my heart.
What can I say? I love A for Anju and I am thrilled to have her begin the A to Z Challenge for me with A for an Account, of her visit to her A for An Aunt's house.
Over to you, Anju.
A visit to an aunt's house
by Anjali PanchanathanI've often heard my friends complaining about having to visit their relatives on weekends. It is often a very dull and boring affair. You have to look your best and be ready to see someone you haven't seen in years. The most amusing expression that greets you at the door is "How tall you have grown!". This makes you wonder whether you are being praised or blamed.
Last Saturday, mom took me to visit an ailing cousin of hers. "Why me?" I asked myself, but with no reasonable reply.
It was a long drive before we reached. A rather plump and overexcited woman greeted us at the door. She hugged my mom and almost screamed when she saw me. Apparently, she'd seen me when I was a baby and behaved as if she didn't expect me to grow up! When my mom enquired about her health, and how her treatment was progressing, I realized that she was the "ailing cousin."
The moment we were seated she began her discourse about what happened to her, what medication she was taking, and didn't finish till she had provided us with the minutest details. After about 45 minutes, she realized that we might be thirsty and asked us what we would like to have. I was about to ask for some juice when mom declined the offer and asked her cousin to take rest.
My aunt made no further effort to serve us anything during our stay.
She talked incessantly about her relatives, friends, and even neighbors. I was so stuffed with her gossip that my head started spinning. It was nearly lunch time now and I was almost famished. Mom understood the expression on my face and asked leave of her cousin. But her cousin said we couldn't leave yet. She went to her room and returned with a pile of photo albums. We were then shown each picture with complete details of "who, when, and where".
We were finally permitted to leave around 3.30 p.m. We were quite exhausted and very hungry, suddenly feeling unwell ourselves. Mom and I didn't utter a word on the way back home. My aunt's words were still ringing in my ears . . . "these days I can't talk much as the doctor advised me to rest as much as I can!"
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Aunts aren't gentlemen, eh! Did you enjoy this post? Do you have a memory of a visit like this? I'd love to hear it in the comments! Enjoy the Shutterstock image at the top of the postWriter, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury