Well, I became an uncle Tuesday. I am the baby of my family, so I was very naiive when it came to the how babies work, so I excepted him to be able to give me a high-five, or cheer for the football games that were on. I expected him to open his eyes and smile at me, but he didn't. He didn't really do anything except sit there and make some tiny noices, sort of like a chipmunk.

That day in the hospital I asked myself a quesiton that I still struggle to create a coherent answer to: why is this little red, warm blob so important? Why am I in love with this little human that won't even look at me, or do anything except sleep? What makes this baby so special to me?

I think I may have an answer.

Imagine you watch the sunrise. Why do we do this? Because it means that we have woken up, and have at least one more day. The soft red-orange of the sun raises slowly to become a blinding light that is able to illuminate the world. This rising action means there is something more, something greater ahead.

I know this is a strange metaphor, but let me give you some more examples to help.

You plant seeds in nourishing soil and a tree rises. As it rises it grows branches, and eventually bears fruit. Something as small as a seed grows to tower over the earth. This tree bears fruit that will provide for those below it for ages.

Let's try another one. A plane takes off and continues down the runway. When it is ready, it pulls off the track and ascends into the heavens. The moment the landing gear peels off the runway, a new flight, a new adventure takes off. A new journey begins.

So, therefore, the question still remains: why is a seven pound, 19 inch little baby so special? Because it means a journey is beginning. It means my little nephew, Benjamin Maddux, will begin to turn the pages of his own legacy. He will begin to create his own path, his own success story. A baby, born three weeks early and unable to hold his own head up, will soon become a light in this world. How special is that?

I believe we will forever cherish birth because it means we, as a human race, will continue. With every little red blob that is born, a generation increases its chances to live. Remember this as you go about your daily life. There is not another "you," and despite what you think your purpose on Earth is, you helped the human race survive. You are so important.

That little boy has my heart tucked away, I will do everything in my power to help him grow and watch him rise.