In Hawaii I have 17 neices and nephews from my half brothers and sisters. This last trip, the one from which I returned yesterday, I got to spend some time with them. I love being an uncle. I got emails from my family in Hawaii before I even returned to Minnesota saying “We miss you! Come back soon.”

What’s so great about being an uncle is that I get a taste of what the joys of having children are before having children and experiencing the not so joyful parts. There’s a natural love that swirls inside me for these kids.

I’ve considered moving to Hawaii in a couple of years, the number one reason being my family that I have just started to get to know. Brothers and sisters that have been fading from my childhood memories are actual people to me again!

Most of all, I miss my dad. He can be very close minded and stubborn, but he’s also one of the most joyful and generous men I know. There are certain idiosyncracies that I find in him that give me answers to myself. There are pieces missing that, when I am with my family there and on that island, are filled. I also know that if I lived there, the parts that have been in place for most of my life will be waiting to be taken in again. My life and love is split by a nine hour flight.