a boy it is

I remember exactly where I was when I found out.

I was the first person they told! My father was the second - my mother third.

He was loved beyond belief from the moment we knew about him!

I had to work the day my sister in law went into labor. But I stopped in before heading out to work. I gave everyone huge hugs and left. I kept calling my mother, asking if she had delivered yet, where she was in labor, etc. I finally got out of work and went right over. We all waited through the night!
Both grandfathers were sleeping. Both grandmothers were pacing the floors and trying to peek in through the main doors. I, the aunt, was thrilled and ready to burst with excitement!

My nephew was born early in the morning on October 12th (two years ago). He weighed just about the same as my brother and sister in law did at their birth.

We all waited and watched as my brother started walking towards us - to tell us he was born. He was smiling wide and going through pictures on his camera to show us.

His beautiful smile lights up my life.

He will never know that his little life was my second chance. Because of the mistakes I had made prior, I didn't feel that people would trust me. My title would most definitely alter things when it came to children. What I did and who I was, were two different things though. My brother and sister in law knew this.

My nephew is every bit of sunshine in my life. He runs up to me, wraps his little arms around my neck and lays his head on my shoulder. He closes his little eyes and lets me take in his sweetness.

He is the most wonderful person in my life. His sweet innocence is vibrant. He is precious beyond belief!

In so many ways, he remains my second chance. What I did, had nothing to do with children, but so many thought that it did. I didn't dare look at a child, talk to a child or find myself around them. I thought that those who knew my mistakes, would judge me and once again start speaking badly of me.

My sweet and wonderful nephew loves me just as I am ... whether or not someone else feels the same, will never matter.