the bartending nanny

today, after nearly a month without seeing him, i became the saint’s nanny again, and it was pure joy.

when i knocked, i heard scrambling and a tiny voice say “coming!” he met me at the door as any murphy boy should: shirtless and in pajama pants. he immediately squealed upon seeing me, covering his mouth and sprinting to the living room, ready for action. i high-fived my brother, the man the saint looks so much like (lucky kid), and followed the leader into the apartment.

i put down my bag, kicked off my flops and asked for a hug that was immediately given, lasting for a full minute. my eyes got misty as the saint sat on my lap on the couch, telling me about his trip to florida and asking me to help him find clothes in his room.

we entered his bedroom that looks so different than it did a month ago, and the saint began to unpack his vacation suitcase. this kid has grown six feet since i last saw him, it seems. he’s huge in stature and heart. absence makes the nephew grow larger.

we played all day until he’d had enough and curled up to dream on the easy chair. when he’d fallen asleep, i attempted to gingerly move him to his bed, but he quickly exclaimed that he’d rather stay put. i didn’t argue. he’s definitely a part of our family if he can fall asleep anywhere.

these days are growing less as each day passes. soon, i’ll be only an uncle, and i couldn’t be happier. today didn’t feel like work. it felt as it should.

as i sit down the block from my night job that i can barely stomach, and as i’ve been thinking about my not too distant vocational future, i need days like this. they give me life and help to shape the man i am to be and life i was created to live. all men can hold the title of “uncle”, but fewer uncles get the honor of holding the title of “nanny”. i am truly blessed.

thanks for reading.