After two personal tragedies in one year, the landscape of Gertrude's life looks flat and barren. Suddenly childless, she wanders the vast emptiness. Although her women gather, bringing sustenance and encouragement, it is not until her gaunt reflection startles her, that she realizes she must take a step forward. With intrepid strength, Gert goes back to her career. When her baby sister, Mildred (my mother) gives birth to Mark, Gert is smitten. She spends every free moment enjoying her nephew. However, by the time Mark is two, Gert notices odd repetitive behaviors that concern her. Always protective of Mildred's frail constitution, she chooses to keep her worries to herself. As Mark turns five, he becomes a big brother to me and Gert assumes the role of my 'other mother' AND my lifelong hero. This is our story. It depicts the concept of 'being there' in all of the ways that women have made themselves available to one another since the dawn of time. My aunt Gert's presence buffers my painful and restricted childhood, while always creating and enhancing the positive. After three stillbirths and a dangerous final pregnancy, my heart still carries all of my aunt Gert's comforting words and deeds.