I am sitting in a small cramped space, waiting patiently, a myriad of thoughts circling my head. As I stare ahead into the mesh I ponder what lies ahead and whether I am fully prepared. I am not a religious man yet I feel driven to confess. So here we go, the moment has arrived.
I am to be an uncle and, to be frank, I am not sure I am going to be very good at it.
There, I said it. It is out in the open. Phew, I feel better.
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a few days with a very close mate and his baby boy, a bundle of arms, legs and an elongated torso (he is a beautiful bub) and I got a window into what my sister and her husband were heading for, and also I got an all access pass to what it is like to be an Uncle.
This is an important role – it is more than just twice a year phone calls, overpriced gifts and the promise of hosting your niece/nephew in the future when they wish to escape their parents, home town, friends, life or whatever else affects them – especially during those teenage years when the world is against us and we are against the world.
This role, in my extremely ill-informed and nervous opinion, is one of support and trying to be a role model. The significant geographic distance from my niece-to-be will prevent me from providing physical support or being a visual role model but with humans essentially wired into technology these days I do not imagine that constant communication will prove to be difficult.
There was a period in my early 20’s when I was a wonderful role model of what not to do with your life – A period which a number of people, least of all my mother, will remember with little fondness or humour. However, people change and the 2011 model is ready to be put to work and it is a challenge I am relishing to be perfectly honest.
How many times do you get to see the unadulterated joy of parents cradling their newborn; a tangible, living, and breathing testament to their love….oh and lots of pregnancy eating, sore backs, sleepless nights, morning sickness, waiting and late night trips to the 24 hour supermarket or servo.
It promises to be an intense, emotional, taxing but invigorating year for my sister and her husband as they come to grips with their new addition and how their lives will be forever changed for the better. It is a year that I am relishing the opportunity to share with them and try to pick up some tips along the way so when I am placed in their position (hey, stop laughing, it could happen!!) I will be better prepared than I am now.
So here’s to young Millie, the little Tasmanian. I’m looking forward to meeting you, cuddling you, feeling your vomit run down my neck and smelling your nappies.
You are everything that is pure in this world and I will be humbled to be your Uncy Ben!
