I was sitting on the front lawn with Olive, Jolie and Leah the other day, and the mailman came walking up with a box addressed to Miss Olive. Of course we couldn't wait to go inside to open it! Inside was the cutest hooded jacket and a jumper for Olive from our favorite Elmhurst family, the Husains. It just so happens it was getting a bit chilly, so Olive put the jacket on right away and we snapped a couple of shots:
This was just one in a line of packages and cards that come from the Husain residence, and lately I've been thinking about my Aunt Bini and her role in my life. My fondest childhood memories are of my aunt whisking me away for adventures in Chicago and beyond. We ate exotic foods, visited museums, spent many hours at "the dark place" (the mall), and wiled away days at her adorable house in Oak Park, where I would catch fireflies, pick blackberries in her backyard and run around pretending to be a city kid. My time spent with her was a refuge from my sometimes tumultuous home life. She was also an important connection to my mother, who lived so far away.
Then along came Uncle Itrat, with his funny mustache and funnier laugh. From the very start he treated me like his own flesh and blood, introduced me to wonderful food and people, and put up with me through my bratty teen years and never once judged. Together Bini and Itrat had two wonderful children who have grown up into wonderful adults, each as caring and kind as their parents!
I am writing this because I am just awful at letting people know how much I love them, and I am touched each and every time a package arrives, or a card, or an email inquiring about Olive's latest adventures. Bini and Itrat have been a huge part of my life and so many of my good memories involve them. They have been more than "just" and Aunt and Uncle, and they continue to be more to Olive and I feel so grateful to have them in my life.
So, thank you.
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