My eldest niece turns 18 today. Happy birthday, E!
I almost can’t believe it’s been 18 years since I held my niece E in my arms as a little baby. Eighteen years ago, I took a bus back to my parents’ hometown because I had this nagging feeling that my sister-in-law was about to give birth. My intuition didn’t betray me (it rarely has) because a few hours later, I was at the hospital, accompanying my brother and his wife in this momentous occasion. She was our family’s very first niece!
While we were a family of five boys (yes, I have FOUR brothers) we suddenly had to become used to actually having a girl in the family. Quite obviously, being the first, she has had to both endure a lot of challenges and been lucky to be spoiled rotten in some other areas. I am very proud of her and I know that she is currently under a lot of stress as she is trying to find financial aid to undertake her undergraduate degree in the US (by the way — do any of you dear readers know anything about scholarships for international students at the undergraduate level in the US? If so, could you please send me a message via my contact form or a tweet or an email, or drop a comment? Thanks!)
To my dearest princess: you make me proud every day and you continue to amaze me with your maturity in a number of realms. I know that you are working hard and that you realize that these are the times to work even harder. Remember that your sisters look up to you and that you set the example. Work hard. Play hard. Be happy, and laugh a lot. Find a moment every day to reflect and take stock of the blessings you have and don’t ever lose sight of the fact that your family (your Mom, your Dad, your sisters and of course all of us your extended family) love you very, very much and that we will be there to support you along the way. You will succeed, sweetie. I have plenty of confidence in that.
Today and every day, sweetie I wish you happiness, health, success, but more than anything, lots of love. Love you always, your uncle R.
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