I drove 380 miles in one direction just so that I could see a baby boy’s dazzling smile.  An invitation extended by my brother Mike, in a not completely lucid moment, led to a road-trip that I needed more than he probably knew.  The calendar had flipped from 2008 to 2009, ending what had been a tumultuous year for me physically, mentally, and emotionally.  While there was plenty of good among the considerable amount of bad, the net result had left me drained.  The new year required a renewal of perspective.  What better way to do it than to see the world through an infant’s eyes?   Thus, I was off to see my nephew Owen.

The moment I turned the ignition in the CR-V, I knew I had made the right choice.  With each passing landmark, each mile ticking away on the digital odometer leading me closer to my destination, I could feel the weariness lifting just that much more.  The length of the journey did nothing to dampen my spirits, but rather provided a sense of peace, with a combination of CD’s and satellite radio providing the soundtrack.  It seemed like I had barely begun driving when I arrived, meeting my brother at the hotel where I would be staying.

Though I had last seen my nephew just about a month and a half ago at Thanksgiving, changes were already evident.  He could remain sitting now without toppling over.  He laughed whenever someone made a sneezing sound, real or fake.  His personality, already delightfully happy, had come into focus complete with a curiosity borne of seeing so many things for the first time.

The weekend was spent doing little more than watching the world through an infant’s eyes, with football games on in the background for when it was time for his naps or meals, though watching him eat was entertainment in its own right.  Having been started on solid foods, he attacked each spoonful with gusto, not content to wait for it to reach his lips.  I had to chuckle as that was the surest sign, beyond how much he resembled my brother, that we were related.

My dear, sweet sister-in-law Kristen fretted that I was not being entertained enough.  In truth, I was looking for nothing more than what I received.  This time, there were to be no ballgames to attend, no night out, not even so much as a trip into Pittsburgh for breakfast.  And that was perfectly fine with me.  All I wanted, all I needed was to spend time with my brother, his wife, and my beautiful nephew.  To be able to hold him, make him laugh, and watch him gaze at the world in wide wonder helped to remind me of the possibilities ahead and not that which was already behind me.  By the time I had left on Monday, my spirits were renewed and I had gained the perspective I had sought out.

And for this, my beautiful nephew, I thank you.

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