I got a call from my sister-in-law as I was driving to get some pizza, and she invited me over to her house because the 3rd of April is my great nieces birthday. We were going to have a makeshift birthday party at the house, and she said all the kids are going to be here, meaning my niece and her three kids (my other niece lives out of state). I went over, and my great-niece has grown easily a foot and a half in the last three months. I can't remember the last time I saw her, but she's much taller. My great-nephew is taller than I am. It was one of those times when I knew to take a brain tattoo, meaning it's something that's not going to happen (so take a mental snap shot). I've been doing this a lot when the kids are together because the newphew is 18, and it's very weird that he's graduating from high school.

It was kind of a slap in my face that, "Hey, if you wanted to watch this kid play high school sports, you missed it," and it made me very sad. My mom attended everything; now moms always do that, because they had to drive you there, probably, but nonetheless it was one of those where I think I saw him play sports three times. I thought, "You suck as an Uncle," but it was great to have them all together. It was really weird that the baby of the family is now a teenager. The middle great-niece will soon be driving, and the oldest Nephew is off to Myrtle Beach with his buddies. That phrase, "All the kids will be here," is something that, even before I got there, I realized is something that's going to be more and more special. Eventually we will blink, and someone will be married with a kid. The newphew has a girlfriend now who seems very sweet, and then the girls will go off. Who knows what will happen, right? Nonetheless, having everyone under the same roof will be harder and harder to do, because who knows, they might end up in other states, et cetera, et cetera. I actually got a little emotional because I was watching him leave. Here he is, this 18-year-old kid, and about six feet in front of him was my niece (his Mom). I remember vividly watching her on a blanket at my brother's house in North Hill. She occasionally would say "buh," and we all thought that was hilarious. Here was my little "buh" baby, and her first kid is now a high school graduate, and it just happened so incredibly fast.

And faster it will go. If I'm going to see the great nieces, cheerleading or whatever they're doing, I'm going to have to step up my game as an Uncle.

Check Your Calendar

My niece had even sent a date and address to one of his last games. I remember thinking I need to check that and add it to my calendar, except he had already graduated and I had missed it. So check your calendar. I believe your calendar reflects your heart. Don't wait, as time is moving faster and faster. Get your prorities in place.