Relationships

While I'm on my soapbox, let me address something that you'll realize over time, but lets just get it out of the way now.
I'm not really your Great Uncle, except by love. You see, your Grandpa Don is my very best friend in the world, and I love him like my brother. Since Grandpa Don is my "brother", I get to be your Great Uncle.
And I've known and loved your mother for years, although we got closer after you were born.
Since I'm never going to have a grandchild of my own, I'm pretending with you - but that doesn't make me love you any less because you don't have my DNA.
So, I'm gonna be your Unca Merlin, your personal faery grandparent.
Wishes granted whenever possible. As long as you're housebroken.

Down to the wire

Well Andrea, it's nigh on 2 weeks until you're expected to arrive (your Mom still says January 18th, but I still think you'll be a little later than that, probably around the 21st to the 23rd - after all, why be a Capricorn when you can be an Aquarius? )

Am I thrilled?

Sweetie, you have no idea how thrilled I am. You're all I talk about to anyone.

My only regret is that your parents are currently living in a frozen wasteland called Missouri, so I can't be there for your arrival. Uncle Merlin doesn't do snow.

Now that the nightmare that is Christmas shipping is over, I'll be sending you some bears - two new ones, and my old childhood friend, Pinky, for starters.

Mind you, this is only the beginning. Because, young lady, I have every intention of spoiling you absolutely rotten (and have the time of my life doing it too.)

I just have to remember that I promised your Mom not to send anything bigger than you until you're walking.

Believe me, that's going to be one promise I'm going to find hard to keep. I'm already trying to figure out how to get some big (and when I say big, I mean BIG) stuffed animals on a plane without having to resort to paying for a seat for 'em - not to worry, given my promise, I still have at least a year and a couple of months to go before really worrying out those logistics.

Regardless of how it works itself out, you'll have some gi-normous bears around when you start walking.
You're going to be one lucky little lady - I think there's going to be some serious competition as to who can spoil you the most - but don't worry, I'm planning on winning that battle.

Christmas 2007

Okay, it's time you were introduced to one of my favorite soapbox topics, Christmas.
I was raised Jewish, however since I consider myself neo-pagan, and I've never been Christian, I have a respect for Christmas as a holiday, but don't really go out of my way to celebrate it - there are exceptions such as this year, when I worked the day before and the day after, and everyone just happened to be staying in town, so I grabbed the opportunity to cook Christmas dinner.
Anyway, this isn't about that - this is about what happened at work today - I brought in presents for a couple of people - I created some gift bags with various "spa" products, and got a lap blanket for another person, my supervisor got a gift card.
I passed out cards to other people, and gave them a little beanie bear Santa -
I gave the presents, and each one of them said "oh now I have to get you something" - which drives me nuts.
I didn't give you something so that you would go out and buy me something - I gave you a gift because I wanted to. I gave you something because I think you need a smile. I gave you something because I love you. I gave you something for whatever reason it happened to be, but I didn't give you something so you'd give me something back other than a hug or a sincere thank you.
(Except in your case, when I expect a thank you letter or email or phone call)
Remember this when you're dealing with me, Andrea. I'll spoil you rotten, but don't ever expect it from me. I'm not a vending machine, after all.
But wait until you're walking. That's when the fun really begins - you see, your Mom made me promise that I wouldn't send up bears bigger than you until you could walk.
That's how you got a bear collection. The old one is named Pinky, btw. - I don't know what you'll end up calling him.
He was my special friend when I was growing up, and I hope he's yours too - he's from the Sears Roebuck on Ponce De Leon catalog center, circa 1962 - nowadays, that's City Hall here in Atlanta.
He travelled by my side until the 5th grade, when I "outgrew" him.
Well, I never lost him and now he's living with you. I hope you enjoy him as much as I did.
Anyway, I'm rambling now because it's late and I'm tired.
I love you, little darling.

This is Pinky - he's a little worn, but still filled with love.
I hope you love him as much as I did.