Personal Narrative By Nick Nava (My Younger Brother)

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have a younger relative? Well, this is how I came to know how it feels. It was a hot, June day in Miami, Florida. School was out and children were running up and down the hallways. It was summer, the very first glimpse of summer, to be exact. After saying my farewells, I walked towards my crying mother. “What’s wrong?” I asked curiously. Sniffling and with tears in her eyes, she replied, “You are an uncle, now, Nick, and I am a grandma!” Filled with joy, I danced and leaped into her arms. For the very first time, I was an uncle.

My parents agreed that we should go see my new nephew, Collin. We, then, purchased our tickets and began packing our bags. Two weeks later, we were flying aboard an American Airlines plane to Orange County, California. We arrived there, groggy and tired. After sluggishly walking off the plane, we picked up our luggage and headed for the exit.

We exited the small airport to be greeted by my tall, slim brother, Gene. “Hey!” he said in glee. All of us exchanged hugs and started down the California turnpike. After exiting the long road down the paved exit, we all saw the beautiful scenery. “Look at the mountains!” I said in awe. The clean beaches stretched across the coastline. This was, truly, an astounding place.

As we pulled into the driveway, I heard dogs barking. This was definitely the place, for I had heard the same barks the last time I was here. I opened the door of the two story house to be greeted by a thorough dog licking. “Down, Ernie! Sit Buster and Asia!” yelled my older brother, Neil. “Man, you got big,” he said with a grin. “Yes, Neil, that tends to happen,” I replied with a smirk on my face. We caught up a bit and talked about his car business as my mother ran upstairs to see Collin.

After strolling around the house, I saw my brother’s wife, Mei, holding Collin in her arms. He was crying profusely. “Hey, Mei,” I said. “Hey, Nick!” she replied with a smile. After a little chit-chat, I asked if I was allowed to hold Collin. “Sure, Nick, but let me change his diaper first,” she answered.

Mei, then, allowed me to hold Collin. He kicked and squirmed in my arms, but he calmed down quickly and began to giggle. “I think he likes me!” I said with a smile across my face. It was, truly, a great moment. I laughed and smiled as I held him. That very moment made my 2008 vacation the greatest.

Seeing my little nephew was fun, but coming back home was very tough. We said our goodbyes, cried a little, and flew back to sunny Miami, Florida. The ninety-seven degree weather of Miami was tortuous as opposed to the seventy-nine degree, breezy weather of Orange County. Before I knew it, my two weeks in California were gone. I was at home, just wondering what my nephew could’ve been doing at that very moment. I could just picture him laughing and bouncing. “I really miss him,” I would say to my parents. “We do, too,” they would answer.

Now, Collin is two years old. He is walking a lot and talking a bit. My brothers send me videos and pictures of him every week so I can see him. I see him face-to-face once or twice a year. His smile always brings joy to me. Although I see him more often now, none of the times compare to the very first time I saw my little nephew. Being an uncle is great in many ways, but being able to see and hold your baby nephew is an experience you should treasure forever.