I consider my nieces as daughters. I share their laughter and joy. I also cry with them whenever they have to. My shoulders are always there for them to lean on. Being an aunty is like being a mother. I give advice and keep their secrets. But, most times, those secrets are the sources of our laughter in their later life. The memories that I share with them is incomparable to none especially they grew up by my side. I have many nieces, and I love them all. Even now, I try to spend time with them as much as I could. Albeit, most of them live in different parts of the world, getting in touch is as easy as pressing the button. That is the beauty of the modern technology. However, it is still not the same when you bond face to face. I am one lucky aunt that I was able to spend the time with my nieces since they were babies. I changed their nappies; sang them lullabies and even created that baby words. We played in the park; shopped together and even ate on the one plate. The happiness I got with my nieces were incredible. The children of my siblings become part of my inspirations. We have great memories and we keep on creating more. Toni-Marie grew up with me. She is also my godchild and the only godmother she has. We have the bonding like mother and daughter. People who don’t know me thought that Toni is my daughter. She was always with me before I got married. And when I gave birth to my children, Toni was always there. She became like an older sister to my babies. Today is Toni’s special day. I made this poem especially for the cutest baby whom I cradled and loved so very much. To all the aunties and nieces, may your bonding and friendship become each other’s inspiration.

A NIECE IS LIKE A DAUGHTER

BY: VIRGINIA CLOSE

As I was not around when you were born;
I heard from your mama, that you came ahead of term,
that you were so tiny when you saw the light of day
Perhaps, the size of little doll that I used to play.

When I arrive from faraway isthmus;
With full delight to meet you; I hold you in my arms.
With the most pronounced dimples, you smile with flair;
those big brown eyes, you stare with utmost glares

You are the cutest baby in all the land;
I cry with glee as we converse in baby talks.
You coo like saying, hello my aunty, I’m glad you’re here!
With such delight, I sing a lullabye that soon puts you to sleep.

You are a beautiful person with the talent of class.
The goddess of art;  you really are!
A dazzling artist that is utterly hard to defeat;
for you were born with golden pencil in your hands.

You sketch and draw and don’t get tired.
Your imagination goes way up to the sky;
like a magic wand – you create a masterpiece,
that can sit with Michael Angelo or Picasso side by side.

I shall not forget that you bring the song to my heart;
your wits and humour I laugh to my guts.
The pefectness of your act; such great finesse,
is comparable only with the goddesses.