The first thing I plan on saying to my niece when I see her on Wednesday is "makamakamaka." It doesn't mean anything at all, except that (as I have been informed by her mother) Sarah finds it hilarious which means the world to me. I love making her laugh.

My usual no fail method is a caterpillar puppet who speaks with a very bad french accent and likes to nibble on elbows and knees. As soon as Mister Caterpillar appears she shrieks with laughter and runs away but only far enough that she can keep an eye on me and make sure that I chase her, if not she'll creep back and reinact the shriek and run.

Matt usually hangs back and watches Sarah and I. It's not that Sarah doesn't like him, she adores him. Between the two of us, he gets hugged first. And instead of being bossed around with a demanding call of "Aunty Jenny," she quietly walks up to him and patiently waits (more patiently than I've ever seen her wait for anything) until his attention turns to her and he picks her up. I wish I had a photograph of that moment, Matt being very gentle and kind and Sarah leaning in and smiling happy and content.

Aunty Jenny is a riot of fun, but Uncle Matt is special. My family is glad that Sarah likes him, but none of us really get her reasons why. I like to think she has good taste in people.