Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Uncles/Aunts (04/17/08)
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TITLE: The Birthday Party | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rebecca Bossman
04/19/08 -
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Brenda thought it was the perfect “party” for her and her friends. They were too young for a traditional party and Brenda worked full time and attended college in the evenings so a slumber party was not an option.
Brenda asked her sister Jenna to help chaperone the party. She had a vehicle large enough for all the girls to travel from the movie theatre to the restaurant. Besides, her sister had two sons and never got to enjoy girly fun.
Jenna was supposed to pick Brenda and Karen up in an hour. Suddenly the phone rang.
“Hey Brenda, it’s Jenna. Tell Karen not to get dressed because I bought her the cutest outfit for her party. I’m on my way over. I want to do her hair and help her get dressed.” Without giving Brenda a chance to respond, Jenna quickly said, “See you in five minutes.”
Brenda hung up the phone with mixed emotions. Her sister was Karen’s only aunt and they spent a lot of time together which got Brenda jealous since she didn’t have the time to spend with her daughter lately. As Brenda was thinking all of this over, Karen walked in the room.
“Hey mom, I’m going to get dressed for my party. Who was on the phone?”
Brenda explained that Aunt Jenna was coming over to get her ready for her party and give her a mini makeover. Karen was very excited. Brenda never let on about her real feelings.
Aunt Jenna came over and was so excited. She put a new outfit on Karen, lip gloss, and styled her hair. Karen looked beautiful and was thrilled.
Brenda was upset through the whole movie because Jenna made it seem as though she was the one throwing the birthday party for Karen. Brenda tried really hard to forget her feelings but they kept coming up to the surface and making her doubt herself and her relationship with her daughter.
After the movie Brenda excused herself to the restroom and asked God to help her.
“Lord, please help me get control of my emotions. I love my sister dearly. Take away this jealousy. Help me to be grateful for my sister and the great aunt she is to Karen. Help me to see her with your eyes. Amen.”
Brenda joined the party as they headed to the restaurant. Right before the meal was served something amazing happened. Jenna began taking pictures of Karen and then asked Brenda to take one of Jenna and Karen together.
Brenda grabbed the camera and was feeling the familiar feelings of jealousy. As Brenda looked through the camera and saw Karen and her Aunt Jenna through the lens she saw something unexpected.
She saw all of Jenna’s hurts and insecurities. She saw how hard Jenna felt she had to try to win people’s approval. Jenna even felt like she had to win her niece over. Then Brenda looked at her daughter and realized why her aunt wanted her approval. Her love and devotion was unconditional. Jenna was trying hard to win Karen’s affections without realizing she already had it because Karen loved her aunt.
Brenda snapped the picture and told Karen to thank her aunt for taking the time to chaperone her party. Karen hugged her aunt and told her she loved her. Jenna was so overwhelmed she had to leave the table.
Karen looked at her mom and smiled.
“Mom, I’m a very lucky girl. I have a great aunt who likes to have a lot of fun with me.”
“Yes you are,” Brenda answered sincerely.
“I’m even luckier to have a great mother that loves me and lets me spend time with my aunt and friends. Thanks mom; no one could ever replace you.”
Brenda hugged her daughter and smiled as she thanked God.
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