New York, New Art, Same Aunt Jen

Last month I shared how losing my only sibling, David, was much like losing my husband. Besides knowing I would never have an adult relationship with my brother, the fact that I would never be an aunt weighed heavily on me almost immediately after David’s death in 1983. My mother was the oldest of seven, so I had observed several wonderful, adult sibling relationships and had numerous aunts and uncles, whom I adored. I had looked forward to both having that type of relationship with David and being aunt to his kids. I have also shared that because I’ve lost so many roles, becoming a good friend has been of paramount importance to me. Wanting to be an aunt and determined to be a friend has resulted in a most cherished role, that of Aunt Jen.

While none of the young people, ranging in age from about 3 to 30, who refer to me as Aunt Jen, is actually my blood relation, they are all so dear to me. The three “nieces” you see below dubbed me Aunt Jen initially. They were born when I was married to my first husband. Though that first marriage ended in divorce, these three never stopped referring to me as Aunt Jen. When I moved to the South my friends would tell their kids to call me, “Miss Jennifer.” That moniker was not something this Northerner tolerated very well, so I asked to be called “Aunt Jen” instead. Thank you, Talia, Haley, and Sophie for making me and keeping me Aunt Jen. I love all my nieces and nephews beyond measure.

This photo is from my recent trip to New York, there these three beautiful, intelligent, kind women are living and contributing to that vibrant community. The inset photo was taken in 1999, a few years after they decided to keep me on as Aunt Jen following the divorce. I was visiting them at their childhood home in Boston on a quick getaway from a work project I was doing in Philadelphia.