A Full Heart

I had the opportunity to take Dominic to visit my Aunt Penny ("Auntie") earlier in April. I have known my Auntie since I was born.  She was married to my mom's brother until his passing a handful of years back. I admire my Aunt Penny so much, she is an amazing and beautiful woman inside and out. Dominic and I had an awesome visit and the three of us had a wonderful time having lunch and catching up. There were definitely two highlights of the afternoon.  The first was when Dominic hopped on my Auntie's lap and she started tickling him.

I love, love, love this picture of them. He just has the look of pure joy and happiness.  They both were laughing really hard.  The second highlight was when I grabbed a book I had brought and Dominic squeezed in next to her and they read it together.

My Auntie is one of Dominic's biggest supporters and the two of them definitely have a close and special relationship.  I thought I was the one that had a way with words, but she wrote something to me recently about that special time with Dominic.  She said, "my heart was so full when he jumped into my lap, and then he let me read a long book to him. Joy, Joy, Joy!!!!" Her heart wasn't the only one that was joyful and full that day :) I think Dominic misses his "great-Auntie" already.  Since we've been back home, he has told me a few times, "Aunt Penny in Virginia!" What a blessing she is to our entire family - we are not bonded by blood, but by love!