The author has 12 nieces and nephews. Courtesy of Camilla Richardson I have five siblings, and I'm the aunt to 12 nieces and nephews. It felt easier to be close to them when they were younger. As some of them have gotten older, I've had to be more intentional about our relationships. Out of five siblings , I'm the only one without children, meaning I got to be the "fun aunt" who brought sweets, toys, games, and a heap of adoration for my 12 nieces and nephews. There's a favorite photo from the early years where two of my nephews stare at me in delight, one a newborn in my arms and the other not yet 2. That picture takes me back to when all I had to do was pretend to be a dinosaur or read them a picture book, and they thought I was the coolest person around. Then they became teenagers , and things changed drastically overnight. I could tell from their lackluster responses to my offers to spend time together that they weren't interested.…