This photo was taken a month before my nephews second birthday. He wanted to play at the park... if I got too close (in case he fell) he'd turn and look at me as if to say... "let me try on my own", so grown up and in control.

I was watching him while his parents were at work... actually to be truthful I was absorbing everything he said and did for those few hours we were alone.

For the first year of his life I was more than 3000kms away... we saw each other only via webcam a few times in that year but each time was amazing. My brother wanted to make sure his son knew me...

I moved closer to them last year. I spent 12 months travelling their home state and saw my family every few weeks. My nephew began to reach for me when I arrived at his home... and he attempted to say my name. It's not an easy one and when he called out my name over the phone one day I sat there crying for a while.

Just before his second birthday I decided to move on again, to keep travelling. It wasn't an easy decision. He was growing up so quickly. But I had to experience the world now! I've been waiting so long to make this trip.

I spoke to my brother on the phone a few weeks ago... its been 3 months since I left. At the end of our conversation he asks if I want to speak to his son and hands him down the phone...

The sweetest little boy started talking to me... full sentences... descriptions of his day at kindergarden... and then he said "we're having a bubba girl".

He's 28 months old now... and in a few months time he'll be a big brother. He'll have so much more to tell me... and I'll still be away. Experiencing my growing family over the phone.

Time is going so fast!

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