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Aunty Janice

Daily writing prompt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Years ago, when I knew I’d hit a wall and had to leave my marriage, I was too scared to call my parents and tell them. I’m not sure how aware they were that my marriage was shaky and had been for a couple of years. I tend to not talk to my parents about personal matters like that.

Also, I was sure they would not be supportive. ‘You made your bed now you can sleep in it’ is what I thought they’d say. I was positive that’s the feedback I would get from them. In my family, you don’t just get married to try it out, it’s forever. The wedding vows are taken seriously and I did take them seriously. I even asked the pastor who buried my Gramma the year before, who wasn’t our regular pastor, to come and be the one who married us.

However, people change…or don’t change in my case.

So when I needed some advice from someone I trusted, I called my Aunty Janice. In tears I told her what was going on and how I knew I needed to move out and separate from my then husband. She had been through a divorce herself, in the late 80’s so I knew she could relate.

She was calm and rational and supportive.

“No problem is unsolvable” is what she said to me. I took those words literally and have used them many times since then and also passed the advice onto my kids at various times in the last few years.

No problem is unsolvable. That statement opens up doors and windows. Makes you feel that a solution or a path can be found. There is always a way out or through. I love those words. Especially when you’re hearing them at a desperate time in your life by someone who trust.

Aunty Janice encouraged me to call my parents and talk to them, assured me they would be supportive. I did and she was right. They one hundred percent had my back. And the rest is history.

Screenshot
Mom is sitting down & standing is Aunty Janice, she’s my Dad’s older sister, what a pair of beauts

7 responses to “Aunty Janice”

  1. Your auntie is wise and the world needs more people like her

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Best sort of guidance, giving you a sense of agency!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes exactly Stephanie! I had to look up what “a sense of agency” meant 🤔

      Liked by 1 person

  3. enjoyed reading this CJ. it can’t be stressed enough how much everyone needs an Aunty Janice in their lives. sometimes, they can deliver a message that may be the same as a parent but in a more relatable way or sometimes they can be the necessary kick in the butt. either way, they provide nuance in situations where seeing things outside of black and white are necessary. you’re blessed to have an Aunty Janice and she’s blessed to have had a niece that would listen to her good advice! 🙂 Mike

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Mike! Yes I’m very blessed to have her in my life ☺️

      Liked by 1 person

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