The Unusual Experience

The Unusual Experience

Adoption. A lifetime decision, my uncle and his partner made. A decision that would change my family, for the better or for the worst?

My uncle Thom is an important person in my life. He has shown me to do what I believe in and what makes me happy. My uncle Thom has to face many life problems, one major one is being gay. Being gay is still seen as being an outsider, being an alien. Growing up with my uncle being gay, it has taught me not to judge anyone and it has gave me a better insight into life.

When my uncle and his partner told me they were going to be adopting two-year-old twin boys, I felt unsure and apprehensive. I was over the moon, as I would finally have the cousins I have never had but at the same time I was terrified.  

12th of July 2015 was the day my little cousins; my lifetime best friends came into my life.  I didn’t know what to expect or what I had to do as a big cousin. I didn’t know how to change a nappy, I didn’t know how to make a bottle, how to bath or dress them. I just knew this wasn’t going to go well. I was anxious to meet them.

When I arrived at my uncle’s penthouse flat, I looked at the big brown door and thought, “this is it”. When I entered I remember the cutest little twin boys running up to me and smiling. They well small, with bright blonde hair and the bluest eyes I have ever seen, blue as the sea. They were wearing matching clothes; a pair of denim jeans and a little grey jumper. He youngest one, ally grabbed my hand and pulled me into the living room where the rest of my family waits. I didn’t know what to do so I just stood by the door, watching the boys play and mess about. It felt so strange having little kids run about the house considering my sister Carrie and I were the only kids in my family. It was weird. I could tell Carrie felt even more awkward as she stood beside me not even making a sound; just staring at her phone.  I knew this was going to be hard to get used to.

The boys played peacefully, I was expecting two little dare devils not two little angels. I tried to play with them but when I walked up to them, they didn’t seem to connect or bond with me, which was understandable. I guess I wasn’t the only one who felt weird about this. It was nearly dinnertime so I knew my papa would be in the kitchen busy as a bee. As I went into the massive glass kitchen all I could smell was the famous family meal; mince and potatoes. The smell filled the room, and my mouth began to water. I helped my papa mix the mince and mash the potatoes then my uncle Thom came through. I knew he wanted my opinion about the boys and how I felt. I honestly told him I felt uncomfortable but that was normal. Was it always going to be like this? I just met my new adopted cousins so I hoped not.

I helped set out the table for dinner, making sure everyone had a knife and a fork. When everyone was at the table ready to eat, it was unusual. I just began to eat and hope the tension would die down soon. Everyone spoke during dinner, except for Carrie. Carrie has always been the awkward sister, the quiet one. I thought to myself, I was going to try and make an effort with Will and Ally. They were my cousins after all, I had to try.

After dinner I helped clean up and got their favourite toys; Thomas the tank engine trains. I went in their playroom and grabbed the brightly coloured toys. They were spoiled little boys I must say. There was a sea of toys; there were trains, teddies, colouring in pads and so much more. I suddenly felt a spark of jealousy and wished this was my playroom when I was younger, but I shook it off. I then went and sat beside them in the living room, and gave each boy a train each. In my hand was a little train that looked like one of the Thomas characters. As soon as they saw I had their favourite toy, they started to scream with excitement and joy. This is when I knew I was going to the best wee cousins in the world. It felt like I had done this so many times. I went to go up to my room, as I walked into my room I noticed it was no longer mine. That spark of jealously suddenly came back and I hated this feeling. I know I shouldn’t but I couldn’t help but feel this way. Why wouldn’t my uncle tell me he was going to make that they boy’s room? I was slightly disappointed that my uncle gave up my room for the new arrivals.