Uncle Knuckles
"How about he calls me Uncle Knuckles?" jokes my brother as he takes the baby from my arms. The baby radiates joy as Uncle Knuckles carries him off, lifting him high into the air and lowering him to the ground. They head into the next room, from which peals of laughter emerge within minutes, both my son's infant gurgle and my brother's thirty-year-old guffaw.
"What's going on in there?" I ask.
"Look! I taught him to walk!" comes the reply.
I walk in, and I see my brother on his knees, holding the baby up and gently moving his legs forward one at a time. Looking at this man with this small baby, I see all at once the times they will have together. Building snow forts, learning to shoot hoops, flips in the pool.
My heart melts as I continue to watch the two of them play. My son is mine, but not mine alone. He belongs to the world. My love for him is the love only a mother can have for her child, but my brother's love for him is the kind only an uncle can have. My husband's is the kind only a father can have. And my mother's is the kind only a grandmother can have. Later, it will be his teachers, and his friends, and eventually romantic partners and possibly children and grandchildren who offer him their own, unique kind of love.
My heart melts as I continue to watch the two of them play. My son is mine, but not mine alone. He belongs to the world. My love for him is the love only a mother can have for her child, but my brother's love for him is the kind only an uncle can have. My husband's is the kind only a father can have. And my mother's is the kind only a grandmother can have. Later, it will be his teachers, and his friends, and eventually romantic partners and possibly children and grandchildren who offer him their own, unique kind of love.
Here you go, world. Here is my son. May it be a great love affair for you both.
That paragraph where you begin, "I walk in. . . " gelt like the heart to me. Loved this piece and might even share it (if you don't mind) with my children 's uncles. You have captured this.
ReplyDeleteOh yes please share with the uncles! The uncles of the world are so important. :)
DeleteNothing more precious than a baby boy, They grow so fast and it sounds like your son's life will be filled with people who love him, it doesn't get any better than that. Love the name "Uncle Knuckles" btw!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that hilarious? I'll tell my brother you like it. :)
DeleteI love the line "My son is mine, but not mine alone. He belongs to the world." Very well said. I have nieces and a nephew but they live a ways away. Need to get out and see them more!
ReplyDeleteCertainly! What a great role - uncle. Now I know even more how important it is.
DeleteAnna what a great great piece. Your brother's request that he be called "Uncle Knuckles" is so telling. May the world be ready for your son with open arms as wide opened as the arms of "Uncle Knuckles."
ReplyDeleteI love that image - if the world treats my son like Uncle Knuckles treats him, he'll be in great shape. :)
DeleteSo sweet! I, too, love watching my brother play with his kids and mine. It's the coolest thing!
ReplyDeleteIt really is!
DeleteYou are already such a good mother - loving your son so much you are willing to share him with others so he can receive their love, too. This made me smile with joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate that so much.
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