New season

On September 14, 2005, I became an uncle. For the first time.

"Became" is probably a strong word because it sounds as though I did something to gain the status, the title, or that I earned it in someway. Pretty much the uncle is like the equipment manager on the New England Patriots getting a Super Bowl ring. I mean, you didn't do anything but hang around and try and be supportive but when it's all said and done people are congratulating you.

Someone even said to me today: "Good for you."

Um, ya I know, thanks. Good for me? Hey, don't think I don't appreciate the goodwill toward family, but good for me? Hell no. The only thing I bring to this kid's life is an understanding — one day — of beating a 2-3 zone, what an inside blitz is or why a group he's never heard of called Run DMC helped keep alive whatever music he is listening to in 25 years.

So I'm excited about the new addition to the family, don't get me wrong, but it'll be a learning curve for me. Probably be at least six months before I stop holding it like I'm rushing for the endzone. (Jokes, jokes). But I do feel envy towards Aidan Larkins. After all he gets to grow up his entire life not having experienced the atrocity on humanity that is the 2005 Winnipeg Blue Bombers. (Not jokes, not jokes.)

But nevertheless I told everyone I know that I was officially an uncle and took in the unwarranted "congratulations" and "way to go's" with open arms. I didn't get overly poetic or nostalgic about it when I got the announcement called into me at 3 a.m. and haven't particularly all day. After all, it's not a moment for me. It is my brother and my sister-in-law who have been — what do you call it? — blessed. I'm just in the viewing lounge.

It's a realiztion to me that some people have their life together far more than me and, because of that, I will live somewhat vicariously through my brother and sister-in-law and my new nephew.

It could be the 200 kilometres between us that has made it so that it hasn't quite sunk in yet or still the cynicism that I feel about how marriage and kids will play (or rather not play) into my own life. I'm happy and I'll do what I can to get over the learning curve. For all the times I think of my life in a rut, maybe my new granted familial position shows me a different perspective.

A retrospect for life.

I might not have done anything to earn the ring, but I am glad to have it around and you better believe I'm gonna show it off.

Nothing's ever promised tomorrow today/They say people in life are seasons, and everything happens for a reason.