Tamssmat

When I was a much younger individual, our parents were very involved in the church we attended so naturally we knew almost everyone that also went there.  They had become close friends with 3 other couples from a church they had all previously attended and some of those families also went to our church.  We called ourselves “the 4 families” and still do to this day.  We grew up with their kids, carpooled to school with one of the families, had Christmas get-togethers (still do only now they also include a myriad of babies) and generally spent much time together.  One of the couples had only daughters like my parents so there were times that we spent with just them.  There was also a single lady that went to this same church that became friends with our mother.  She was older than the 4 family parents and was single with no children and no matter how they tried to involve her in the circle, she just didn’t seem to fit.  She was however very fond of us girls and since she had, for whatever reason, never had any children of her own she took a huge liking to my sister and myself and the 3 girls of the other son-less family.  We of course loved all of the attention we got from her.  After some time, we were told that she would like for us all to call her “Auntie”.  This seemed odd to me at the time and I’m not sure I ever resolved those awkward feelings about it.  I don’t know why it would have ever seemed off to me.  I loved her, as quirky and odd as she was, in a certain way, I loved her.  I was young and she showered me with attention and presents.  She would have a
“Christmas in July” party for the 5 of us girls and we’d have a slumber party and presents and games.  It was a great time, I loved the other 4 girls and enjoyed my time.  I think what made it awkward for me was that I never truly felt close to her.  Maybe it was because she was so different from the other adults in my life that I just never knew what to make of her. 

Eventually, as I grew into my teen years, she faded from my life.  I know she was still close with our Mom, hell, she still may be for all I know, but she either decided we were no longer fun since we were teens and angsty, or we decided she wasn’t fun anymore no matter how many gifts she gave us.  Maybe she decided to start attending another church?  I honestly have no idea.  Lately though, I have been thinking a lot about her.  I believe that she and I probably have a lot of personality quirks in common.  At the very least, from the impression I got from my parents, we would probably appreciate each others weirdness more than others would.  Maybe we’d have an understanding of each other that only someone with similar issues could have.  I don’t know why as of late I have wished that she had never faded from my life or why I have been thinking about her, but I have.