Unclehood

 As the youngest child in the family, I didn't grow up with little kids around me all the time; I was the little kid.

In May 2008, I had the joy and privilege to be home for my niece's baptism in Wisconsin, as I was welcomed into the world of unclehood.  My time at home with my little niece was short, though, as I returned to Thailand for a second year.  As I moved back into the dorm, I was returning to a new set of neighbors: a young Hmong family.  The family of three grew to a family of four within a few months, and I have been very blessed to have shared living quarters with them.

One of the greatest joys has been watching little Sumalee grow up.  I've been around for her first words and her non-stop monologues, her potty training and numerous and continued mishaps along the way, her playfulness and her tantrums.  In a sense, I feel a little bit like an uncle to Sumalee, who one time even said something about me being her dad Joe's brother.

Below is a video of my little Hmong niece Sumalee in all her glory.  She's quite a star!

Thanks, Sumalee, for giving me the experience and practice of unclehood while in Thailand.  I'm looking forward to carrying out the role even more fully in a few weeks with my niece back in Wisconsin.

-Eric