Thanks to two very important people in my life, you will never - EVER - never hear me shout "Rammer Jammer - Yeller Hammer, Give 'em H---- AlabamER" with enthusiasm. My Uncle Alan and Aunt Sheila have played an extremely special role in my life for many reasons. Reasons having nothing to do with something as unimportant as football. However, despite that fact, every year when football season approaches and it's time to pull out my Auburn wardrobe, I usually say a little thank you to my Uncle for saving me from a life of wearing red, seeking as many garments as possible in Houndstooth, or the urge to glue toilet paper to a detergent box on a stick.
Alan and Sheila (my Uncle and Aunt) 1985ish
Uncle Alan (known as Buzzy to the rest of the family)
My Aunt deserves her own separate thank you as well for all the things
she sowed and/or crafted in orange and blue for us. My mother seriously blames Uncle Alan (her brother)
for brainwashing us (my brother and myself) over to the "dark side."
Really, it was because we thought he was definitely the coolest and we wanted to be cool like him. Plus, his Auburn
fanaticism was contagious.
The Sports mentor in all his coolness - 1981
For almost a decade, a little more than a decade
in my brother's case, Brian and I had Uncle Alan and Aunt Sheila to
ourselves before the first of their two daughters, Leah arrived. It's an awesome feeling when you have not only parents and grandparents, but an Aunt and Uncle
to dote over you as well. They have from the time I was born and still do
to this day (those these days it's directed at Dax - as it should be).
I've always felt just as special to them as I did in the days before the "Floozies" (Leah and Tracey).
As a kid I was fond of my Uncle not only because he was cool but also because he was fun and genuinely loved being around us or playing with us. In those days at the Swann family get togethers, you'd find me either sitting in his lap, leaning against him, on his shoulders or being tossed around - pure fun. As an adult I'm fond of him because he's still cool, of course, but I've come to the realization that he is a total closet nerd - something he passed on straight to me and Brian. My Uncle, brother and myself can carry on a conversation that no one in the family is interested in whatsoever. (maybe except for the Floozies of course).
I said before that I share a special bond with my brother because of our unique shared sense of humor. That same sense of humor came from my Uncle. No matter how dry, pessimistic, blunt but utterly harmless some of my jokes are, he gets them. Every time. When my own parents even sometimes are left baffled by my comments. My Uncle is always laughing under his breath because he knows exactly how I meant it and what or where I'm coming from. If he doesn't understand it, he at least appreciates the personality behind it. I like to think so anyways. ;o)
And My Aunt Sheila? Some people's relationship with their aunts by marriage are seen as nothing more than a long time acquaintance. There's not really a sense of love, loyalty, devotion or genuine concern. They are seen as someone that may not always be family and they could care less if that were the case. I feel the absolute opposite is the case with Aunt Sheila. For one, she's been a part of my family longer than I have. I DO have the same love, loyalty, devotion and genuine concern for her that I do for my Uncle Alan, my mother's brother.
Besides that she has a personality I absolutely could not live without knowing. She's really something else. There's something about her nature that rubs off on even the most prideful/stubborn of those who need help but will never admit it. My Grandfather is one of those. After he had his stroke/heart attack and needed to be fed by someone else, Mom and Uncle Alan had a hard time getting him to eat when he really needed it most. Even myself who could usually talk him into doing almost anything, couldn't persuade him to eat. But he'd do it for Aunt Sheila.
Aunt Sheila pregnant with Leah
Something about her - her kindness or no nonsense (not really sure which) makes you want to instantly do as she says. What ever the case, we've always been impressed with her ability to calm my Grandfather's obstinate nature and the wish to please her. She's definitely respected by everyone in our family. My late Grandmother was really fond of her and shared a special relationship with her Daugther-in-law as well.
What I really enjoy about her is her quick wit. My Aunt has a tongue as sharp as a knife when pushed to it. She never disappoints when it comes time for a smart comeback or a good opinion. She has a way of putting things in perspective and can really be humorous about it. Guaranteed to lighten the mood of any bad situation. It's a nice talent to have - or to witness, really.
There are so many people I owe Special Birthday posts to and it's really hard to do them because though I love these people equally it's not as equally easy to verbalize what's so special to me about them. That's why I combined Aunt Sheila and Uncle Alan's post. Uncle Alan's Birthday was July 7th and Aunt Sheila's was August 12th. So I got a bit out of order and of course I'm didn't wait until now to wish them a Happy Birthday. I really didn't even wait until now to write this post to them as a gift. Just took me this long to post it.
Ha ha.
Uncle Alan and Aunt Sheila, I love you both so much and I pray that Dax will grow up knowing you as I did and experience the love you've always shown me and Brian. It is truly a blessing!!!
