It wasn't my fault...

You take an only child, the result of years of trying, the first grandchild for the Korean grandparents and EVERYONE adores her and wants her attention. I never even read her a book! Everyone else sat on the couch and read book after book for her.

Me? I let her show me how much she could do 'by myself!': toothbrushing, face washing, toilet using and pajama buttoning. When we sat outside, rather than grab her, I looked for colored rocks among the patio stones. Within minutes she'd snuggled into my lap to help me. At the park, I sat and listened to the musicians with her tucked in my lap. I pointed out the djembe and the tamborine. When she didn't want to get up and dance, I danced and clapped while sitting there.

At the beach when everyone relaxed on the blanket, I ran down to the water and filled her sand bucket with wet sand. I took photos. I collected twigs and feathers for castle decoration. I carved her name in the sand. Got her to help me bury Jrex's napping feet--his toes kept popping out! Bad Jrex. When we left the beach, everyone offered her a hand and she came over and grabbed mine.

By the last night, she wanted "Auntie OTRgirl" next to her at all times. (Yes, my white niece calls me the Korean name, my Asian niece the white name.). At dinner the last night, after she ate, she wanted to sit on my lap so we could draw together. When dessert came, she wanted to stay.


None of that mattered too much. I'm sure it frustrated "Halmoni and Harabagi", but not too bad. What tipped it all over the edge was once we arrived in Yosemite. We called Jrex's sister to let her know we'd arrived safely. Lawyer Sister asked Asian Niece if she wanted to say hello to Halmoni? No. Uncle Jrex? No. "I want Auntie OTRgirl!" We chatted in the heavy panting and indecipherable chatter of a three year old on the phone for two minutes; then she said, "See ya!" and hung up.

Mom K got very quiet for the rest of the night.

Oops.