Tonight, I realized how humbled I am in the presence of my nephews. I mean, just dumbstruck by their fascination with the simplest, smallest things, their inquisitive minds, their wide open acceptance. They are miraculous, and I am entirely small in a universe that could bring their existence into being.
This came to me, sitting on the floor of the front hall at my sister's, as my younger one - the little star - used a pair of electric mixer beaters to teach himself drums. While doing a little dance. And learning to sing. I was helpoing and encouraging... and then I just stopped... as I said, dumbstruck. I am humbled in the presence of a two year old.
The older one (MANU, The Most Adorable Nephew in the Universe) had some sort of stomach bug, and nearly missed out on Turducken #2 (#1 was last year), but since he seemed to keep down soup, it seemed mean to tempt him with a full table. The Little Star, meanwhile, was content with sweet potatoes and a little chicken... but he got mad when he saw that everyone else's sweet potato dish had marshmallows (he's developed an intolerance to eggs). That, and the brussel sprouts were his enemy.
Some years I worry about the balance of things - we've gone way overboard in food, some years there's the uncomfortable silences - but this year we got the balance right. The food was good... but it wasn't all about the food. The family gathering was enjoyable, never uncomfortable. And the conversation was political at times, childlike at times, but always free and easy and relaxed.
But in the end, my day and evening were about two awesome little boys, in all their wondrous youth. I am one lucky Uncle. And that's way more better than Turducken and pie.
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