Reflections on Nephews

I just spent a morning at Grandparents and Friends day with the youngest of my nephews.  The youngest of his generation in our family.  I couldn't help thinking how proud Mom and Dad would have been of him and of all their Grandsons.

The oldest of those grandsons, the one approaching fifty, has always been a bundle of energy.  Eager to share his enthusiasm for life with the world.  He was the only one who knew his Grandpa Jim in his better days...he and his mom living with his grandparents for a time and then close for a few more years. I have always thought that being a student in one of his classes would be a true adventure.




Next in line, the philosopher.  Well, kind of sort of.  Wonderfully interesting views of life lead to great conversations, Mom's kind of conversations....I envision the two of them deep in discussion...... and I myself enjoy those conversations, a book discussed, a podcast revisited.  I often regret the fact that by the time he was visiting his Grandpa Jim, the symptoms of Alzheimer's were already kicking in, and noisy kids caused turmoil in his mind.  I wish this nephew had known him in his better days for I think they had much in common in that questioning of the world.. This nephew also won the heart and respect of his Uncle Greg....

Oh, and then the math genius, definitely a throwback to his Grandpa Jim on both the genius front and the somewhat trouble making teen years.  But there the line is drawn.  Well, kind of sort of.  The grandfather allowed to much tension to build and then blow while the grandson is as mellow as one can be.  Easy going, of course, can equate with not quite getting things done ... oh but maybe that too is in common, I remember growing up in a house in construction, never, never done.  But both grandpa and grandson, underneath, kind and caring AND brilliant.



And then that youngest nephew, just sixteen, he never knew his Grandpa Jim. Music is at the top of the list of talents .... I heard just a few minutes of viola practice and was transported with the beauty of the sound, this is his new instrument....keyboards, base and violin have all been mastered.  And....he sings, a good baritone. The singing he shares with his grandpa, I remember Dad singing a lot.  Some of his Irish songs would bring tears to my eyes on any day.  Add to that youngest grandsons talent, intelligence and such poise.  As one who is shy on my best days, I couldn't help but admire the poise with which he greeted young and old alike.  He will achieve whatever he sets out to do in this world.

Yes their grandparents would be proud of each and everyone of these grandsons, and also of the absorbed into the family grandson... families can get complicated.....this nephew is not related by blood BUT is the son of the man who was my sister's husband when she passed on, born of a subsequent marriage. He and his father were as much a part of the family as anyone else...and Mom and Dad would also be proud of the man he has become.


And I their aunt am happy to brag about them all!!!!