A Toast to Aunt Shelley: Patron Saint of Looking on the Bright Side

We all have those people in our lives who make us stop and think, I want to be more like that when I grow up. For me, that person is my Aunt Shelley.

Now, Aunt Shelley has walked through more hardships in her life than most people could imagine. Her story is hers to tell, so I won't be sharing it. But what I will share is this: she is one of the most inspiring people I've ever known.

When she married my uncle, our family hit the jackpot. We didn't just gain an aunt. We gained a ray of sunshine with a passport, a positive attitude, and a heart of gold.

Shelley is the definition of a glass-half-full kind of gal. Actually, if we're being honest, she's probably grateful she even has a glass. While the rest of us are occasionally complaining about traffic, long lines, or life's little inconveniences, she's busy finding something to appreciate.

She genuinely enjoys life. Travel? She's in. Adventure? Absolutely. New experiences? Sign her up. A good house project, Yep. A random Tuesday afternoon? She'll find something wonderful about that, too.

But don't mistake her kindness for weakness. Shelley is tough.

Case in point: she recently completed the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Stair Climb. For those keeping score at home, that's the equivalent of climbing the height of the World Trade Center...all 110 flights. Meanwhile, I'm over here huffing and puffing after running upstairs to switch a load of laundry. Shelley is out there casually conquering 110 flights of stairs.

And here's the really impressive part: this wasn't her first time. Nope. While many of us are looking for the closest parking spot to the front door, Aunt Shelley is voluntarily climbing skyscraper-sized staircases. But what makes it even more meaningful is that she's not just honoring first responders. She was one herself.

As a nurse, she spent her career helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. And alongside my uncle, who also served as a first responder, she knows firsthand what service, sacrifice, and showing up for others truly means.

So, when Shelley climbs those 110 flights, it feels less like a challenge and more like a tribute. A way of honoring those who answered the call and the profession she proudly shared.

That's who she is. She shows up. For causes she believes in. For people she loves. For her community. And somehow she manages to do it all with gratitude, grace, and a smile.

What I admire even more is that she never seeks attention for any of it. She just quietly keeps moving forward, making life better for the people around her.

And as amazing as her strength is, it's her kindness that truly sets her apart. She's the person who remembers birthdays. Not because social media reminded her, but because she genuinely cares. She's the one who sends a text just to check in. She's the one who asks how you're doing and actually waits for the answer.

She has always been kind to me and to my daughter. Those birthday wishes, thoughtful messages, and random check-ins may seem small, but they leave a lasting mark. They make us feel remembered. They make us feel loved.

And I hope she knows that love comes right back to her. Because in a world that isn't always kind, having a genuinely kind-hearted person in your corner is something to treasure.

So, here's to Aunt Shelley: traveler, optimist, nurse, first responder, stair-climbing superstar, birthday-rememberer, professional bright-side finder, and one of the most inspiring women I know.

The world could use more Shelleys. And our family is lucky enough to have one.

The lesson Aunt Shelley teaches without ever saying a word? Life can knock you down. It can challenge you. It can test you. But you can still choose joy. You can still choose gratitude. You can still choose kindness. And apparently, if you're Shelley, you can choose to climb 110 flights of stairs while the rest of us need a breather after carrying a basket of laundry.

I love you, Aunt Shelley. Thank you for showing all of us how it's done.