It's pretty easy being the uncle.

I've got to remember birthdays (only three at the moment, so within my mental capacities).

Presents can alternate between fun and educational. And, as my nephews and niece get older, they get specific. Sometimes I can find exactly what they want. Other times I can caution that their wishes might not come true. What do I lose by saying this? Nothing really.

And I should plan to see the kids once in a while. I haven't done the best with this one lately when it comes to my nephews, but I'm trying. They live two-thirds of the way across the country, so it's not a stroll down the block. I have had some interesting phone conversations.

The uncle isn't responsible for much. Especially the single, no kids having one.

I'm not going to say I don't understand kids at all. I get them on some levels. But it's been a long time since I thought that way, and I'm not the best actor. I don't always regress well.

All of this is completely fine. As the brother who has not had a kid (or really ever come close), I am not expected to know or participate in certain things.

I don't have to change diapers. I'm not the go-to babysitter. And I have very little advice of much use.

My only advice is music. Sing to the kids. Or get them used to listening to music. And trying to make music of their own. It's my one true passion in this life, so that's what I impart. Whether it's made me a better person, I couldn't say. But it sure does make me happy.

And my brothers don't have to listen to me about that either.

What do I know?

My oldest nephew has been reading about England lately. He found out that a lot of different countries tried to take over England in its early days. So my response is that England got the last laugh, in a way. That they tried really hard to take over the world. And then had a rambling discussion about how all of this eventually led to the two World Wars. Was I completely correct in my ramblings? Not quite sure. But it sure gave Max a lot to think about.

Max's brother doesn't know me that well, even though his father is rather sure Sam is a lot like me. But Sam hasn't wanted to talk to me on the phone lately.

Proximity has allowed me to watch my niece grow up a lot more closely than my nephews. She lives about five blocks away, and I see her a few times a week. I'm pretty sure she recognizes me, but it's hard to say. I did cut off her father's hair yesterday, and she seemed to recognize him after that alteration. Six months and counting, I've probably been around the house enough to be regular. I do my laundry there.

But I'm still my own kid. I do what I want with my life. Sometimes (lately) I've been a hermit. Other times I'm off doing this and that and kind of forget there are other people in my sphere of influence.

My first thoughts are always about me (because I'm that selfish), and then, occasionally, I remember other people live on this Earth. This probably explains a lot.

So to my nephews and niece, I'm that crazy Uncle Matt. The one who lives by himself. The one with no kids. And the one who remembered you wanted a remote control car for your birthday.

But there's no way I'm getting you a gaming console. That stuff'll rot yer brains.

Matt Worley thinks kids are curious creatures and is glad they have other people to take care of them.