7 August 2007

My "baby" niece Jordan was in town visiting this weekend. Of course, I've put "baby" in quotes, because she's a striking young woman of nearly 6 feet tall who's just weeks away from going to college. I never thought I'd ever turn into one of those people who'd go on an on about time's passage "I remember when you were just a baby, blah, blah, blah..." I always hated it when older relatives said that to me, so I try to refrain around Jordan, but the whole thing is mind-boggling. I mean, I remember when I was the "baby" of the family, I remember graduating high school and the mixture of excitement and nervousness before heading to college. I don't feel like the aunt of a college-bound niece. I don't feel like someone who just had a 20 year high school reunion. I mean, I'm certainly aware of the passage of time--I just don't feel old. Which is a good thing. I feel wiser, I have a lot of good "life" experience under my belt, I know who I am, etc. I talked to my mom about it last night a little bit. She doesn't feel old either. Nor does my 91 year-old grandmother. What a blessing--and an inspiration.

Anyway, we had a great weekend together. Although it was a million degrees and humid, it was fun showing her around my city and spending time with her. I gave her some advice on how to navigate the sometimes rocky shoals of being a college co-ed --from academics and dorm life, to the party scene. (I gave her good advice on the pitfalls of drinking/frat parties--but I had to refer her to her other aunts for advice on boys.)