One Proud Aunt

I see plenty of memes and blog posts about how lazy, entitled, and coddled “the next generation” is. That tired argument has been around for generations. Queue Paul Lynde singing “What’s the matter with these kids today”. I can’t speak for the youngsters in your life, but my nieces and nephews are AWESOME!

This summer these “kids” have been kicking butt and taking names.

 

The oldest is getting married in a few months to a brilliant and caring woman. Hey, she has to be brilliant to get that boy to reach his full potential! It might have taken him awhile but he is finishing his education while he has a great job in his field of choice. And I know he understands that last little line in his job description that states “anything management may require that is not specifically outlined above.” Must have received some good advice from his former HR Manager auntie (that’s be me!).

 

The oldest niece just started working in her first post-college job in her field of choice. She had to move away from home and her college town to do it, but she is making a difference in this world in her new career path.

 

Next in the age lineup we have the freshly graduated from Army Basic Training nephew. He graduated yesterday and is already in his AIT barracks today. Once he is done with that he will be off to college next semester.

 

The two going into their senior year of high school are no slouches either. The niece has already been spending her Saturdays the past year in a Culinary Arts training program learning to bake, decorate cakes and make sushi. Yes, I need to get some recipes and tips from her for That Recipe. Her male cousin has also been training for his career of choice and completed his S-130/190: Firefighter Training and Intro to Wildland Behavior on his way to becoming a firefighter.

 

The soon to be high school junior was Confirmed in May and spent his summer in college in an Upward Bound program at a local Community College doing some very cool projects from what I have seen by stalking his Facebook page.

 

And the youngest had the hardest job of all, making sure her parents weren’t feeling the Empty Nest Syndrome too much as her siblings were off being grown ups.

 

These "kids" make me so proud and give me hope that this country and world is in good hands.