pay tar

Two very serious nephews through my fuzzy phone camera. thing.

Last night my mom hosted a pretty terrific party. My stepsister Victoria is leaving soon for a 2-year stint in Rwanda. And my nephew Arthur just turned 18. It was a lovely gathering.

I promise you, had I had the technology when Arthur was little, I’d-a been Friday Nephblogging this whole time. I used to keep photographs of Arthur with me at all times. In my mall job, I’d show most of my customers pictures of my darn cute nephew. Now Benjamin (soon to be 2) lives, in my blog, in my phone, on my desktop at work.

I have a whole other batch of six nieces and nephews (and another in progress); babies and toddlers and little kids. They are pretty fantastic, and damn gorgeous. I don’t see them more than a few times a year, and it bums me out that I don’t have the relationship with them that I did/do with Arthur, and do with Benjamin. With some of them I have a connection, with some not so much, but we’re just not in each other’s lives in that way.

Yesterday Benjamin and his parents showed up at my mom’s at around 4pm. I’ve talked about it before… he can be quite self-contained. He don’t give it up so easily, this one. So when that smile finally comes, when he is ready to interact, it is that much more rewarding.

I had brought my guitar specifically with the intention of playing some kid’s songs. Ben goes to music classes, and loves to sing and dance (though his mastery of the English language leaves much to the imagination). Around 5ish I pulled out the guitar. He pointed to a particular chair and it seemed he was poising me as the entertainment. He listened, but after a couple of songs his interest dwindled, so I packed it in.

The remainder of guests started showing up around 6. Tons of food (an amazing spread, really) lots of grownups, four year old Miles and eight year old Elizabeth. Benjamin mostly glued himself to Elizabeth for the bulk of the event, but was quite delightful for most of the evening.

Late… around 8:30… there’s a group in the den, which was functioning as the playroom. I came in and start chatting with Benjamin. He says, in his quiet little voice, pay tar. Says it twice. I think I’m just wishful and crazy, but then his mom, Jeannie, says, I think he said Play guitar. I get my guitar. Bring it in. Before I take it out of its case, I show him and ask, You want me to play guitar, right? Right, he says. Me = puddle on the floor.

I entertained the kids, as well as some adults, for about half an hour. Benjamin was singing and doing hand motions (apparently the doors on the bus going open and shut is just the shit in his crowd) and having himself a ball. But let’s face it, not as much as I was.

Benjamin with a new haircut and stripey pajamas.