A few days ago I had the privilege of speaking with a most delightful fellow on the phone. My little nephew, who just turned four, woke up from his nap and came in the room where my brother was on the phone with me. The miles divide, but the heart does not. Thankfully so. When his Papa told him who he was talking to, the little guy got on the phone and said hello.
My brother was suffering with a pretty bad cold. After we said our hey, how are you’s I asked my little friend about his father. “So are you taking good care of Papa? Since he’s sick?”
“Uh huh,” he said. I could almost see his head nodding over the phone.
“Oh good,” I replied. “I need you to take very good care of him, because I love him. He’s my baby brother.”
“What?!” he exclaimed in disbelief. He turned to my brother. “Papa, Aunt Tara says you are her baby brother!” He giggled as he relayed this silly idea.
“That’s right. I am. She’s my big sister,” I heard my brother say on the other end of the phone.
“What?!” my nephew repeated through his giggles. “THAT’S HILARIOUS!!!!!”
Oh, the joy in hearing him erupt with laughter on the other end of the line! Bless him, I miss my brother and his family. The laughter was like a balm to my soul.
I’ve been thinking about that little guy and his shock and disbelief about our connectedness. It was as though something like that had never even entered his mind. About how we are joined together. The string that connects us.
I am thankful for my nephew, his laughter, his joy, and his reminder that sometimes we might not know or remember just how much we are all–every single one of us–connected. And oh–the joy and laughter that knowledge should bring.
Sometimes I think it’s easy to remember the things that divide us–those things tend to be so much easier to focus on, don’t they?
But wouldn’t it be nice if we had someone to remind us of that connectedness and laugh like a child with joy over that knowledge?
Hilarious. And fabulous.
And one of the most important things to remember.
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 