If mothers are the foundation of a family, often aunts are the footings that help support the foundation.

When my mother died, my aunt took two heartbroken little girls and gave them Sunday trips to museums, churches, and other adventures.

My aunt was rescued from an orphanage by her own aunt even though her aunt was a widow with six children, and it was The Great Depression.

An aunt raised my father-in-law.

Aunts have been in the background when moms needed advice, emotional or financial support or just a shoulder to cry on. An Aunt can be the best friend to their nieces and nephews or simply a friend to mom as she shops in the mall.

A new toy, dress or shirt may have been sealed by the kiss of an aunt or auntie.

There are times when aunts must be the foundation themselves when moms are incapable of bearing the burden.

Just as not all moms are perfect, aunts are not perfect. They could be an aunt in name only.

However, those who have had, or their mothers have received support in some form from their aunts or aunties, may not have thought about or even known about how much influence their aunts had in their upbringing.

While she may have been in the background, some aunts have kept the foundation strong.