I fell in love
Majorfathead
Published
03/16/2011
Don't tell what's her name but I fell in love this weekend.
Let me explain, I have a son (in the US navy) who i did not meet until he was 17 years old. (long story, mis spent youth etc. ) So I had never really been exposed to small children other than visiting friends or family etc.
I was visited this weekend by my sister and my 2 year old niece.. I have always viewed small children with some trepidation. In my opinion 2 - 3 year olds were kind of cool to play around with (like a really neat dog) but as for the care and nurturing I was always on the outside. Now don't get me wrong I don't dislike children , again I just haven't had much exposure to them.
That all changed this weekend. My sis was kind of worn out from the drive, work pressures etc. so I took it upon myself to help out with the baby. I fed her, changed her, read her books, watched Dora the explorer with her (only 1/2 hour of TV per day), colored and played games with her and generally had a good time.
I realized that little bundle of joy had wormed her way into my heart on Saturday night.. We had finished dinner and were leaving a restaurant and the night had gotten chilly. I was carrying the baby and I wrapped her in my sweater and held her against my chest.. She immediately snuggled closer and buried her face in my neck. That was it, I was thru.
In that moment (as Dr Suess puts it ) My heart grew 5 sizes, I was completely smitten, I had never had that feeling before and I liked it.
I now understood in a somewhat abstract and (I'm sure) ,no where as intently way, what a parent feels for their child.
Where am I going with this? I don't know, I just wanted to acknowledge and give props to all the parents out there and to let them know I envy them and wish that (in hindsight) my life had played out a little differently.
Parents out there, please cherish your children! You have a priceless treasure! Do everything in your power to protect and nurture them.
Uncle Smitten
MjrF
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