I am an uncle
At 9:12 PM EDT tonight I became an uncle.
I don’t know if I have a niece or a nephew and I don’t know the little one’s name. I want be surprised when I visit Asheville later this week. Kelly and my parents are doing the best they can to talk about Baby without using personal pronouns. There’s no name yet.
Interestingly, Baby came almost three weeks early and was born on the same day as both the father and grandfather. I’ve been instructed to call People Magazine in the morning with the story.
This is the first niece or nephew and for both sets of parents the first grandchild. First babies are special. I know this first hand–I was the first in both my parents’ families and there are a disproportionate and overwhelming number of pictures and video spots starring me.
It’s weird and exciting to suddenly have a new family member. For years it was four of us in the immediate family–Kelly, me, and our parents. Then John married Kelly in 2003 and there were five. Baby makes six.
In the same timeframe I’ve lost two grandparents. Life changed slowly over a lot of years, and in the last three has changed a lot.
I wasn’t there for the baby’s birth, which is a new life regret. Note to self and anyone else who happens to read this: Do not let work, your schedule and routines, money, or anything other practical consideration come between you and life’s important events. There will only be one first niece or nephew/grandchild. Kelly, John, and my parents were all there, and I wasn’t.
Today’s regret can’t detract from the fact today’s a great day. Talking to Kelly, my Mom, and my Dad and listening to Baby on the phone overwhelmed me.
Whether I’m here or there, I am an uncle.