Nancy #1
I’ve always liked my first name. My middle name, I wasn’t as happy with – not because it isn’t a perfectly fine name but because I wanted Elizabeth (a second cousin got there first). But Nancy I loved. I loved it mostly because I was named after my Aunt Nancy.
As a kid, I thought Aunt Nancy was super cool (and I realize “cool” wouldn’t be the correct descriptor for the younger generation, but I can’t get myself to use “sick” instead). An employee of Northwest Airlines, she traveled to exciting locales like Hawaii, California and Colorado. She is also an artist – I still can see in my mind’s eye the charcoal portrait of the old man with the beard. He reminded me of a sad Santa Claus – looking so real, I feel like I actually knew him. She also made everything fun. I loved when we’d go out to eat, just the two of us. I felt so grownup, like two girlfriends hanging out, something a shy teenager really needed.
When I was sixteen, my aunt invited me to come babysit her infant son, Jeff, since she and my uncle were working full time. I still remember how important I felt, dressed in my white linen skirt and blouse, boarding the plane. It was my first time flying alone and she’d set things up so that I could do it with ease. I still remember sobbing in the shower after I returned home three months later. That summer was one of the best ones of my life.
I’m sharing this for two reasons – one is because I realize that her influence is a lot of why I am doing this coaching work today. Throughout my whole life, she’s always been in my corner and made me feel special and loved. Her willingness to share about her own life adventures – especially the stories of herself as a trouble-making child – showed me it was okay not to be perfect. She showed me the gift of compassionate listening and the ability to laugh at life’s foibles. I liked who I was when I was hanging out with her.
The second reason I am sharing this is because today is her birthday. Please join me in wishing her the most wonderful, joy-filled day and year ahead. I love you Aunt Nancy! Thanks so much for being such an amazing part of my life and sharing your name with me.
So, how about you? Do you have an Aunt Nancy – that relative or family friend who helped you grow up to be who you are? I’d love to hear about them (and maybe, if they are still alive, they’d love to hear from you).
Aunt Nancy and her son Jeff
