Being A Long Distant Auntie (part 2) My Nephew Jimmy

 My nephew Jimmy was only 5 when I moved to Florida. Jimmy is my sister Sherry's son. It's hard to leave the little ones because you're so afraid they will forget you. Then they come to visit and you kind of wish they they had. Just kidding!  =}

Jimmy was a cute baby, when he started to walk, his mom dressed him in long t-shirt and shorts. He reminded us all of Charlie Brown. He was a happy baby, lots of smiles and laughs. I remember one time, when he was about a year old, he and his folks came to visit. When you came into our apt. you first came through the dinning room and the kitchen entry was right there as well. You could walk through the kitchen and come out in the living room. So that's the way Jimmy went. In the 5 seconds it took him to walk through the kitchen he managed to stop, open a drawer and came into the living room caring cookie cutter and all sorts of things, so happy, all smiles, very proud of himself. I could not believe he did that so fast! When I went into the kitchen to see what drawer he had gotten into, I saw there were also several large knifes in it. I'm glad he chose the cookie cutters.



Jimmy at one with grandma and
grandpa

 On one visit to see him, his mom went out and I stayed with Jimmy. I was in the kitchen and he came in just chewing away on something. I panicked. What was he eating?! I pried open his little mouth and it was full of fuzz from a toy we had given him. I guess he thought it tasted really good because he wouldn't let me get it out and swallowed before I could try again. Oh well, he didn't choke or anything and he seemed fine so I didn't worry about it, but I hid the toy.

Jimmy was very close to his grandparent,( my folks), and saw them often. Sherry would usually bring mom when she came to see us. (Sherry lived in Barstow, Connie and I in Huntington Beach about a 2hr drive) Jimmy was always very sweet with my mom. Mom had many health problems and Jimmy seem to be aware of it, even at 3. He would often pat my mom on the back and ask, "You okay grandma?" He really missed them when they passed on.

When he was 5 we went to Calif. for Christmas. My folks were gone by then and all us kids got together at Sherry's. Just before we ate, Sherry was talking to Jimmy about Christmas and she said, "You know, Christmas is Jesus' birthday." He replied, "It is?! I didn't know that!" It was so cute. Before we ate Jimmy said he wanted to pray. He had us all stand and hold hands and say something we were thankful for. We couldn't believe a 5 year old could think of that. When we finished, he prayed the sweetest prayer, "Thank Jesus for this wonderful day when we can all be together and open gifts."


Jimmy at 11


Jimmy loved to hear stories of my folks, and of us and his mom, when we were kids. He would asked to hear the same story over and over, and he would laugh just as hard each time. On one of our visits home, I had acted very silly around him. He thought I was so funny. When we went to his home to have dinner one evening, he came running out and gave me a big hug. It was very sweet.

Since we have moved to Florida, Jimmy with is folks, and later just his mom, have been to visit 4 times. His first visit we went to Disney World. Jimmy had never been to anything like that. He was about 6 or 7 and was a bit overwhelmed by it all. He decided he had a tummy ache about 45mins after we arrived. He didn't want to go on any of the rides. So I had an idea, I said, "Why don't we go on 'It's a Small World'. It's a very slow, tame ride, he can see that there's nothing to be afraid of. Then I bet he will want to go on more." So we did and it worked. He went on tons of rides after that and had a wonderful time.


On an airboat ride. We're in the
back row. Fun!!


Jimmy's mom has always been very involved in her Church and Jimmy has been attending church since he was born. As he grew older he began attending a church in Barstow with some of his friends. He loved it and became very involved. He is on the worship team, has attended many all night prayer viduals, and has done a lot of neighborhood witnessing. I'm so glad these are the activities he chooses to be involved in.

He's had some rough things to deal with in life, his parents divorce and his mom having cancer, but he keeps his faith in the Lord. Right now his is on his way to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City MO. I hope this will be life changing for him. I hope it opens his eyes to all he can be and all he should be in Christ. I'm very proud of him for going. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Jimmy with his aunties on a visit
to FL

Jimmy turned 16 this year, hard to believe, and now has his licence. Look out all you little horned toads out on the desert, Jimmy's coming through.  I love you Jimmy.










Jimmy with his niece Kloie. (Jimmy has
    2 half sisters and a half brother)



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Jimmy on one of his visits to Florida. He
and Izabella Lewis became good friends.





Big smiles



Showing off the t-shirt his aunties gave him



Jimmy love his mom



Turning the big 16



Jimmy today. I think he has grown just a bit.
Jimmy, my sis-in-love Traci,
and niece Emily