So one day, I'm crazy enough to agree to babysit my nephew M. I must have been drunk or just not thinking straight at the time. Now I love my nephew, but at the time the prospect of watching him scared the heck out of me.
Have me face a charging mob? Been there.
Get pummelled in a basketball game by guys twice my size? Done that.
Be responsible for the little boy (cutest there is, but still)?
Can I face the charging mob again?
Taking full advantage of the Orange Wednesdays (a weekly two for one movie ticket promo), my brother and sis-in-law asked me to watch my nephew for the evening. I couldn't hold it against them. It had been months since they had seen the inside of cinema an after watching the wee man 24/7, they deserved a break.
Scared out of my pants, i still agreed as I had a trump card.
Pa was in town on holiday!
We get to their house, my nephew all fed, bathed and dressed up. A quick hug and last minute instructions and they were out the door,literally leaving me holding the baby.
Now my nephew takes one look at me, looks at the closed door and realised that he was stuck with me.
What does he do?
Now I could tell you how I gleefully bounced him in my arms, pulled a dozen funny faces and sang completely off key to entertain him, with great success. Except the last part would be a lie. He just kept on bawling loudly, tears streaming down his cheeks.
At this point, I am desperate and pretty much freaking out, when a voice from the couch rang out.
"M, look over there."
I half-turn to the couch and see Pa, pointing casually into space. As one, both M and I follow his pointing finger. I raise my eyebrows as I can't see anything in particular. So I keep looking back and forth, all this time M is staring intently in the same direction.
And then it dawned on me. I spent several minutes trying to calm my nephew down, pulling out every trick I had and failed.
Pa used one sentence and one wise index finger.
We spent the rest of the evening watching Disney movies until we all fell asleep on the couch.
So the lesson learned?
There is so much that I yet to know. Especially about being a dad.
So this is my salute to the fathers.
To the professional dad, Pa who will always end up teaching me something new. Thanks Pa!
To the novice dad, my brother whom I one day bug endlessly if and when its my turn. I apologise in advance!
To the new dad, my best friend Paul. Congratulations on becoming a dad! ( you are a brave man than I!)
And to all the dads, raise a glass, pat yourselves on the back and look please with yourselves.
Happy Father's Day!
Perhaps one day, I, too will join ranks.
(But not yet!)
