It is simple as a college student to get so swept up in your studies and paying the bills that sometimes you forget to just stop and enjoy life. Such was the case for me until last week. All I worried about was getting good grades on my tests and getting to work so that I could pay my rent and ever-increasing tuition costs. I did not have to time to stop or I would miss something important. Then my sister called me.

It was by far the best news I have heard in months, and the most wonderful feeling that has surged through my body in ages. I answered the phone and my sister asked, “Ayrel, are you ready to have another niece or nephew?” I almost cried.

My immediate response was “Oh my God, are you serious?” as I jumped up and down in zeal. I knew full well that she was. My sister and her husband have been trying for a little over a month for this. She told me the doctor said that she was five weeks along. It just kills me how occasionally life can just throw you these glorious curveballs to put your worries behind you.

In some ways I believe this truly is a miracle. My sister’s husband is a Gulf War veteran. He was told by one of the war doctors that it would be difficult for him to have children. I have often worried that this would be true. My dad, who always thinks he knows everything, remarked that most war doctors are poorly trained and generally do not know what they are talking about. This time, he was right and it is rare that I ever admit that. In fact, he will have proof of his intellect in about eight months.

This news has been so invigorating for me. Last Tuesday when I got off the phone with my sister, I ran out to my roommates and screamed “I’m going to have another niece or nephew!” I have been telling everyone about it. I called my best friend and asked her the same question my sister asked me since she is basically family. She screamed too. Later I posted a little note on our fridge that read that I was going to be a proud aunt again in about 8 months because I could not control my happiness.

“Again” of course means that I already am one. My oldest nephew is actually going to be a teenager in December. It makes me feel kind of old to say that, but oh well. I also have a ten-year-old nephew, a five-year-old nephew, and a five-year-old niece. (I have many siblings.) I love spending time with all of them. With the older boys I can play catch or basketball, and with the two youngest we just goof around. They are all incredibly spoiled – or maybe I should just phrase that as well-loved. For just one example, my niece owns a Mexican Barbie doll in traditional Mexican attire I bought for her in Xochimilco, Mexico.

I know many people who think nieces and nephews are great because you can always give them back to their parents. This is of course true, but I think there are much better reasons. Mine centers around the fact that they still have this innocence that most of us lost some time ago. My youngest nephew, Jordan, can be a real pain at times. However, when I am upset about something, he always can tell instantly. He will walk up to me and ask me for a hug.

Then, when he is hugging me, he’ll say, “Aunt Ayel (he cannot quite pronounce my name), I love you. You’re my lovebug.” I just cannot explain how much better it makes me feel when he does this. Granted, the next time I hang out with him he will probably call me a little twerp, but that does not change his ability to melt my heart in a matter of seconds. That is what is amazing about nieces and nephews, and kids in general.

In eight months, when the stork delivers the next bundle of joy to our family, my enthusiasm will again soar. There will be another little one to spoil and start weird little traditions with, like seeing the Harry Potter movies with Jordan and playing chess with my two older nephews. It will be another amazing thing that this life can bring. This child, this unborn miracle, is proof that things can always get better. This experience gave me the chance to stop and look around, and for once I actually liked what I saw. A miracle indeed.

Ayrel

Clark

is a sophomore in journalism

and mass communication from Johnston. She is a member of the Daily’s

editorial board.