On our recent family vacation, Bryan had some opportunities to interact with his young nephews, ages 10 months and 2 1/2 years. There was a lot of energy in the house with those two motoring around – one running on two legs, one crawling on all fours and cruising around the furniture.

Sometimes Bryan ignored the chaos, sometimes he entered in to create it. His favorite with both boys was tickling them. Both exploded into giggles when Unky Bry tickled them under their arms. The trick was knowing when to stop. Bryan frequently missed that cue when his older nephew urged him to quit while being pursued on the beach for a tickle-fest. He kept at it until the nephew tears began. The younger one welcomed the attention at all times. Such different personalities!

As seen in the photos, Bryan liked to play with the baby in the play area we created on the floor, trying to figure out some of the toys which both boys had mastered through repetition. It was interesting to note the fine motor skill his older nephew exhibited, but which eluded Bryan as a 43-year-old.

In reading a book to the 10-month-old, Bryan made up most of the words in the ABC book, some of which I bet he’s never seen in print. Seriously, how many times do you seen “Vicuna violining” in print? Nevertheless, the 2 1/2 year old has the book memorized by rote and could correct Unky Bry as he read.

“Mother Hen” best described Bryan as he followed his nephews that week inside and outside. He worried when they got too close to the deck railing, tried to escape from their high chairs, cried when hungry or tired, and fussed when they got too close to the stairwells. When the older nephew raced into the ocean, Bryan worried he would be knocked over by a wave.

His love for the boys is quite evident even though he is still learning how to interact with his nephews. It will take time and will evolve as they do – ever-changing and ever- learning new things.

All I had to do was watch his sad face when his sister left our vacation house, boys in the back seat, as he ran down the sidewalk after the moving car, and watched it as it turned the corner towards home to know how much he truly cares.

I know the boys will quickly surpass Unky Bry in many skills, both fine and gross motor. They will learn academics that Bryan will never encounter. But one thing Bryan can do really well that many people have not yet mastered – his unfettered caring and compassion for two little boys who love him back.