Nice Aunties

Nice aunties.

I don't know what it is, but it's exactly what I wanted.

Nice aunties.

She kind of exposed the artsy and fun side of being an auntie.

You look fat.

I just love aunties.

Some of my aunties I only see during Chinese New Year.

I used to brace myself for inquisition prior to family gatherings.

They call you fat, but present you with plethora of delicious food made with love and great skill."

This is exasperating and endearing.

I'm not alone in this.

This behavior and line of questioning is so common, we even have memes for it.

I grew up in a big family where the women, my late grandmother, my mother and some of my 11 aunties were expected to take care of children.

They were big influences in my life, and I witnessed great personalities, strength, eccentricity and humor

They held back from fully expressing themselves because of societal pressures, family expectations and lack of support.

My grandma spent most of her life at home.

She did not travel and had little contact with the outside world.

In the last 20 years of her life, she had dementia and was bedridden.

I often imagine her in an alternate reality where she's out and about having fun, laughing, chatting, enjoying life.

But aunties are not just about family.