Thursday, September 26, 2013

Jacob: Birth, a life changing experience

     The birth of my nephew Caleb changed my life and what kind of person I wanted to be. Before he was born I never really thought about how my actions could influence another person or someone who was looking up to me. I have always struggled in the past doing the right thing and making responsible decisions. Often times I never really cared about anything or being responsible and then he was born.
     
     When I saw my nephew for the first time it was an amazing experience. I realized how special the gift of life was and how much of an impact I would have on his life. After he was born I was told that I was going to be the godfather and this is when I realized what I needed to change about myself.  I was not only going to be an uncle but also a parent if anything happened to his parents. This made me realize that I needed to become a more responsible person by making the right choice and doing the right thing. By doing this I would be setting the right example for him and a good role model.

   
       Today Caleb is now 3 years old and I see him almost every weekend. I am watching him grow up and he is starting to talk and understand. He calls me Uncle J and loves cars. As I am watching him grow up I notice how he does and says some of the things he hears and sees. For example when I am around him I try and use manners and talk appropriately and one day he started using the words please and thank you. Because of what he said it only encourages me more and more to set the right example for him and to continue doing the right thing. Through this experience I have not only learned the importance of doing the right thing but also how to become a better person.  

1 comment:

  1. I would love to hear a specific story about your nephew that illustrates the point you are trying to make (the importance of being a positive influence for someone else). Is there one specific moment when you felt the weight of your influence? Here's a short example that I made up:

    One time I was in the kitchen making a pot of tomato soup. My one and a half year-old nephew, Sage, looked up at me as I stirred. His little brown eyes watched my every move. I gave him a spoon,and he pretended to stir. As I chopped carrots and tomatoes, he pointed to the pot. I knew he wanted to throw in the vegetables himself, but I told him, "hot, too hot." He pointed again and stomped his foot, frustrated that I would not let him help.

    A little later, I took the wooden spoon, stirred it around the pot, and pulled up a little to taste. Without thinking, I took a sip of the boiling hot soup. "Shit," I yelled, running to the sink for a glass of cold water to sooth my burning tongue.

    "Shit," Sage repeated, "hot, too hot.'"

    Okay, so this may not win any awards as a story, but it illustrates a point without telling the reader that point directly.

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