Preserved By Purpose: Celebrating Aunts (and Uncles)

For the past couple of weeks, my column has explored the African American Aunt including why she is important to the family. In this week’s column, I want to explore more how we can celebrate aunts as well as uncles.  

National Aunt and Uncle Day is Sunday, July 26^th and like some of you, when I started my podcast a few years ago, I had no idea there was even a special day to recognize those family members.  The question is how to celebrate what appears to be a new holiday?  One way is to think about your experiences with your aunts and uncles and what you liked most (or least) about them. 

In some instances, they took care of you as if you were one of their own children.  At other times, they offered words of advice designed to keep you from getting in trouble.  Even though they said it was for your own good, some also were snitches and told on you. Aunts and uncles have been confidantes as well as holders of many family secrets. My great Aunt Annie on my Daddy’s side often would patiently indulge my many questions as she shared little known family history.  And I can always count on my Aunt Mary on my mama’s side to give little known facts about she and my mother’s lives as little girls growing up in Central Texas. 

Unlike Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, there is no standard gift like flowers, ties, kitchen appliances or macaroni art projects for Aunt and Uncle Day. This means that you can be as creative as you want with how you want to honor your aunts and uncles. For example, consider giving gift cards to favorite restaurants, retail stores, spas, and bookstores. 

For something more personal, a photograph of you with the aunt and/or uncle might work. Consider creating a new family tradition like a special family breakfast, lunch, or dinner.   One of my favorite things I do with my nieces and nephews (and now great nieces and nephews) is go to the movies.    It’s not just about popcorn and sodas but about the connection.     

Now one of my nephews continues the family tradition and takes his younger cousins to the movies.   For those of you who say you have no money to buy anything, a simple phone call would do. There are also free e-cards you can download on my website: https://www.chocolateauntiepodcast.com/celebrate-national-aunt-day. 

According to NationalToday.com, it’s not clear who started National Aunt’s and Uncle’s day but undoubtedly it was to recognize the many contributions that both make to families.  Romans 12:10 says to “Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.”   Celebrating National Aunt and Uncle Day on July 26^th (or sometime during the week) is one way to show genuine appreciation for the impact they’ve had on your family.  And to all the aunts and uncles (by blood or by choice) Happy Aunt and Uncle Day!

Join me for a special celebration of aunts and uncles Saturday, July 18^th from 5 pm – 7pm at the Dock Bookshop, 6637 Meadowbrook in Fort Worth, Texas. There will be as a panel discussion “A Conversation around the Kitchen Table:  The importance of aunts and uncles in the black community,” an Aunts and Uncles in Pop Culture special trivia contest as well as gift recommendations and food and drinks as you shop for your favorite aunt and uncle. The event is free and we hope you can join us.  

Shewanda Riley (Aunt Wanda), PhD, is a Fort Worth-based author of “Love Hangover: Moving from Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends” and “Writing to the Beat of God’s Heart: A Book of Prayers for Writers.”   Email her at preservedbypurpose@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @shewanda.   You can also listen to her podcast “The Chocolate Auntie Podcast” on the Alive Podcast network at  www.alivepodcastnetwork.com or visit www.chocolateauntiepodcast.com.