Being the youngest can be fun and carefree. I love being the youngest where I get to feign ignorance and escaped all the decision-making because I'm always seen as the greenhorn 'I don't know anything' baby-sister in the family. Of course, I do not shirk my responsibilities whenever commanded by my elder siblings. Do as I'm told, no questions asked. Dear old hubby also fits right into this guise perfectly.
A big age-gap does have its disadvantages (as I see it from my point of view). At the age of 7, my sister made me an 'Aunt' to her daughter, Chiew Yong. At that age, how could I have comprehend the difference. I was happily playing doll-house with my niece. By the time I reached 21, I was already an 'Old Auntie' to 7 nieces and nephews ... Chiew Yong, Swee Fong, Swee Nian, Linda, Jason, Millie and Aun Aun. Thean Thean came along just as I was pregnant with Nick, making it 8.
As I watched Nick grow into a teenager, I see my nieces and nephews growing up too, graduating from universities, pursuing their respective careers and some getting married. At the age of 34, my niece made me a 'Grand-Aunt' to her son, Miguel and 4 years' later, Duvall. Today, I'm a 'Grand-Aunt' to 8 grand-nieces and nephews with one more on the way. Catch some of the cute little ones below and you'll understand why I'm so proud to be an 'Aunt' to all these adorable kids, minus the 'Grand' please! It sounds so OOOOOOLD!!
The order was reversed in my family. My parents had girl, girl, girl, boy, boy, boy (me). There is a 16 year gap from top to bottom.
How would you feel about being called a "great aunt"? I'm sure you are one to those little sweet hearts.