Take The Ironic Mother. I knew of her and worked with her for a few years before I found out about her blogger persona, and she mine. It was only in the last year or so that we got to be friends, in the office, and out. She and her adorable daughter, Ms. E.D., and I got to explore some of New York City this summer before they left to explore new adventures in Ohio. While I so miss the cohort, and a voice of reason and reasonableness across the building, I truly miss the friend more.
While the idea of this project was still in the nascent stages, I ran it by her over a lunch date, and was so gratified by her immediate positive response. She was one of the first to agree, see a draft of the materials, and the first to leave me a voice mail. I am so honored, humbled, and tearily touched by her words.
Here's the I.M. herself, with the ever adorable Ms. E.D., last June when we visited the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
It’s hard to believe I’ve only known Auntie Nettie for a small sliver of her 40 years. We started as colleagues, became mutual supporters, and grew to be friends.
Auntie Nettie and I both worked diligently (often too diligently) to cultivate the dreams of young artists. Our work was only indirectly related to the Big J’s mission. The students rarely knew what we did or why it mattered to them, but the anonymity was comforting. And with a partner in Auntie Nettie, anything seemed possible. Our daily tasks were only vaguely related to each other’s work, but our paths crossed often enough for the rough times to be more bearable.
In Auntie Nettie I found an ally, a counter point, a friend.
Auntie Nettie is a believer. She believes in people, she believes in family, she believes the world is full of goodness, often in surprising places. She believes in libraries, she believes in reading, and she believes in paying attention to small details others often overlook. She is committed to her beliefs and loyal beyond belief. Her loyalty to those she loves is unquestioned, which makes her an invaluable auntie to us all.
And isn’t that funny? Auntie Nettie was an “auntie,” a beloved female role model, counselor, and pal to lots of us before the importance of an auntie’s role was widely recognized. The love Auntie Nettie has for her biological nieces and nephews is tremendous. And thankfully, Auntie Nettie has a bit more to share with the rest of us as well.
Auntie Nettie believes in the little things. Often I would return to my desk to find a small treasure, never with a note, never with fanfare, never with the ostentation of exuberant giving. But I came to recognize Auntie Nettie’s hand behind the gifts – artistically crocheted trinkets, dangerously delicious sweetbreads, peanut brittle or other treats – although she rarely acknowledged the accuracy of my guess.
Auntie Nettie is passionate about her beliefs and about her family. She is passionate about Caramoor, she is passionate about her crafts, and most importantly, she is passionate about sharing bits of herself with others. She is the most unselfish artist I’ve ever met, and in fact Auntie Nettie has made an art out of being unselfish.
I am honored to be part of her “40 Diamonds for 40” celebration. I can’t imagine a better testament to the amazing woman that is Auntie Nettie.
Happy birthday, friend. May your “coterie of wonderful friends and loved ones” only grow and deepen during your next 40 years!
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