Great Uncle

This is a story about an uncle…and two things that make him great. The first would be his patience…his ability to wait. The second: his sister’s daughter just had a baby girl… meaning the members of his family have increased… meaning now he is a great uncle and her baby…his great niece. But with so many family members rushing in to feast their eyes and to behold her…This great uncle got to see her…but he never got to hold her. So many times he wanted to…so many times he’d yearn… but he would always acquiesce and give someone else his turn. Until the day he got to feel his great niece and all her charms… when it was finally his turn to hold her in his arms. He held her for a long time and as his arms grew numb… all the time he smiled…and all the time she sucked her thumb. He’s not sure how it happened but once into his arms his great niece climbed…His world shrunk down to just the two of them and he lost all track of time And even though this great uncle didn’t get to hold his great niece right away…that was not to be their fate… One look at the two of them together and you knew…it was worth the wait. Worth the wait for the great niece to feel the comfort and safety of her great uncle’s arms…and to know that he will be there to keep her safe from harm. And worth the wait for the great uncle who got to feel what all of us who’ve ever held a baby already know… Once you hold a baby in your arms…you never want to let them go.