One of my favorite parts of being “Uncle Mac” is giving my nephews and nieces new categories for their imaginations, more options for their “when I’m a grown up” dreams, and new experiences to give them new stories to tell. Until a few Saturdays ago, my sisters’ boys had never floated a creek in a kayak. Before I pulled a full shift in the office, I spent the morning making sure they had a new accomplishment.

I’ve paddled more than a dozen rivers across six countries spanning three continents. But the one I’ve had my feet in the most is the Tye River. The upper sections past cell phone reception have hosted uncounted moments when my soul exhaled. So, introducing my nephews to kayaking here felt like a sacred moment.

The little dude on my back carries my name everywhere he goes. The least I could do was carry him back upstream to his attentive mama and nurturing daddy.

To give my nephews and their friend confidence in what they were about to try, I floated the 100-foot section first. My sister snapped this photo of the audience. I’ll probably never know the parts of my life they’ll observe and of that what will burn itself onto their hard drives. So, I’m compelled to be the best me I know how to be and to connect that with the “adventure guy” they admire.

This picture my kid sister snapped made my heart melt. I’m still growing into my dreams because I keep finding new and bigger ones. I hope Judah never catches up with his aspirations, either.

I wonder how many more adventures I’ll get to introduce to Bear. My heart expanded watching him stretch his wings during short runs on the Tye River.

Between motorcycle helmets and whitewater helmets, my primary association with Judah just might be cranium protection. But I hope he also connects trying new things with his ol’ Uncle Mac.

Even my youngest nephew, Shepherd, gave the river a go. We might have to make this an annual tradition.

If you want to tell a kid you trust him, hand him your phone.