Uncles and Nephews

Dear Jack,

I know that for you, at the delicate age of two, a grandmother (and a great grandmother) is an easier person to relate to than an uncle. Grandmas tend to be a lot more like mamas and you are your mama's boy. Grandmas tend to have a lot of toddler experience and at least three of yours have worked in a church nursery with little ones about your age for many, many years. And even your grandmas who have a little less little boy experience have years and years and years of Nolen boy experience and "get" you quite well. So, yes, you love your grandmas and as long as they give you a little bit of warm-up time each visit, you do quite well with them.

But an uncle is a special relative to a little boy and I want you to know that you have some uncles who really love you, even when you are being a little shy and stand-offish.

Your great Uncle David and Uncle Jonathan played play dough with you for almost an hour, just because it was what you wanted to do. They sat and talked about women and grown-up beverages while making a play dough fun factory work and only once made a joke about what the stuff coming out of the fun factory made them think of. They did that for you.


Your Uncle Jonathan also played sword fight with you, even though you kept taking his shield away from him, and occasionally took away his sword as well and attacked him unarmed and defenseless.

Your Uncle Jon also rode in the backseat with you and your sister, just to be able to spend a little extra time with you, even though it made him feel like a kid and he really just loved that I took a picture of the moment.

So yes, your grandmas all love you ever so much, but so do your uncles and I want you to remember that because let's face it, there are situations and circumstances where a boy might not want his grandma involved.

I guess, if I'm being honest, there might even be situations and circumstances where a boy might not want his mama involved. And those are the very times that an uncle is invaluable.

And you have quite the selection to chose from if you ever need them.

Love,
Mom