A Child?

Would I like a child, people ask me? Won’t you miss never having children? Maybe, I will. Perhaps, I'd like a child, I think. 

I'm surprised how taken I am with my nephews. They are cool little guys.

I'd be good as a part time dad. Now, I guess, that is a problem right there. Even I know kids need more than a part time dad.

But, I'm smart, told (you gotta say it that way) I'm good looking, I have good teeth. No health issues. I'm creative and considerate. 

And my mother says I'd make a good father.

“You're better with kids than your brother, who'd have thought,” said mum.

“Who’d have thought?” I asked.

“I don’t mean I’m surprised,” said mum. “I meant you the one not having kids, and your brother is.”

I talk to them like people. I don’t talk down to them. I don't dictate what they should do. But then again, I stay their favourite uncle because my visits are infrequent. And I tell them naughty things. And I don't have to look after them full time.

A little person to go on into the future after I'm dead? Is that what life's all about, having kids, watching how your progeny turn out? Would he look like me, the way I look like my dad? Would he look like his mum? Would his eyes twinkle like hers? 

I want to hear his opinions, to see how he thinks. Be surprised by his questions. I want to watch him fall in love, be giddy. Get a broken heart. Pick up the pieces brush himself off. I want to see him elated when he has success at what he does.

A mini me, growing into a full sized me? Is that what we hope for? I don’t know? I don’t need him to be like me. I just want him to be happy. And interesting? Smart. And Funny. Is that what we hope for, for them to be everything? 

Just be you? Surprise me. Whatever you want.

But not in, let’s say, a religious, conservative, prudist, uptight, pig headed, arrogant sort of way. Oh my, imagine if he came home and said he’d found God. I’d have to take him to a physiatrist, get some conversation therapy.

Gay? No, I don’t care.

Just lovely, smiley, and smart. And his own person, reasoned, and thought out.

Yeah, sure, I’d like the perfect kid. Who wouldn’t.

You know, if I was going to have a kid? Find some nice lesbian to donate sperm to. If I was going to do that? If? I don't know? The world hardly needs more kids, hey?