Auntie Lolo

I became an aunt yesterday! Well an unofficial, no blood but will always send birthday cards with checks in them kinda aunt. The kind of aunt that wears colorful pajamas and builds forts in the living room whenever he comes for a sleepover. The kind of aunt that loves him unconditional. Although I have no actual obligation to show up to birthday parties or graduations, I have a responsibility to give this little boy all the love I can.

Asher was born two months premature, with his intestines outside of his body and his stomach in his chest. He fought for his life before he was given it. To this day, he fights for every breath. In the Neonatal ICU you can hear God say "Now take this breath, now this one." It is not the typical voice of God we hear in the delivery room saying "I have the most amazing life planned for you." When I saw Asher yesterday I was overcome with love, I am not lying when I say that I could spend all day letting him hold me pinkie, saying over and over again, "I simply love you". It is the type of love that makes me want to love others around me more intentionally, more boldly and more freely. I realized how much of a gift my healthy life has been and all I have to offer Asher is my love.

I am so excited to have a little guy in my life like Asher. I told him all about Vashon, how I will teach him to snowboard and about how funny his uncles are. I told him about the inlet, how it is so beautiful, how the mountains hide behind these big green walls and how I will take him on a Beyond trip. I told him how much his parents love him and will do anything for him.

It is an honor to be in Asher's life, to be called an auntie and to love such a strong, beautiful, brave little boy.