My Nephew and I

My nephew, Anthony Or A.J. as we all call him, is one of the most important people in my life. This child has a technique of manipulating me like no other. LOL. As he does not have a father who is present, My father, Mark and I try to be the positive male role models that ARE present. We attend his T-Ball games faithfully, take him to the movies, go four wheeling and go-cart racing with him. He is only six years old but has had a very turbulent childhood.

His father is currently incarcerated for Arson. My sister took both A.J. and his sister, Manazia, and ran from this deranged man when A.J. was about four. Thinking that she had finally escaped him. Then, while she was at work and the kids were with my parents, her boyfriend, took an Ax, busted the door into their new home, poured gasoline and set their new home on fire. They lost everything. he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in the state penn. A.J. will be 16 when his father is released. My family and I eventually replaced everything they had lost in this attack. The sad part of it all is, that A.J. was old enough to remember this attack his father committed against him, his mother and sister.

A.J. is bi-racial and is now at the age where he is asking questions about his color. He asked me some time ago, why he didn't look like me? I explained to him that he looks partly like his father and partly like his mother and I. So, That makes him very special. He was satisfied with that answer. He is being raised knowing everyone is diiferent. Everyone has different looks, different preferences. No name calling. Everyone is different and that IS OK.

If at anytime, i have "urges" or a sense of feeling unworthy. I remember A.J. I remember that he is counting on me. I HAVE to be there for him. Most importantly, I WANT to be there for him.

A.J. calls Mark, His Uncle Mark. He is still to young to understand the total involvement of Mark and I. But, he knows that his UNC (me), loves his uncle Mark and that Uncle Mark is a very good person. Growing up, my sister and i could not get along for anything. Since becoming adults, I understand her feelings now on how she felt being the "middle child" and often feeling left out. Growing up, i never realized that she would be the one to give me one of the greatest gifts in my life. Her son, my nephew. We all love you JellyBean.