I’ve discovered a new role within the family hierarchy and I have gladly embraced it.

For the second time in 13 days, I have become a great uncle. I know what a father’s role is (I’ve done it three times), I know what a grandfather’s role is (already have two with another on the way in December), I know uncle’s role is, but a great uncle? Can you be any further down the family totem pole?

Plus, what’s so great about it? Am I supposed to do more or less than a regular uncle? Seems like I should do more because of the adjective, but in reality, I’m another rung down the ladder.

The little baby human arrived Tuesday night to proud parents and grandparents. I felt guilty for even being around. I didn’t dare try to buzz in for a hospital visit and say “I’m the child’s great uncle.”They would have buzzed me right out of there. And I would have understood; you gotta draw the visitation line somewhere.

I might as well have said I’m the parents’ mailman.

After what must have been a couple of wrong turns, which made for a long day for everyone from the parents all the way to the great uncle, the little bundle of joy showed up and immediately asked, “Who’s that guy standing in the corner?”

The bundle of joy is a she, which nobody knew until 6:53 p.m. Yes, there are people in this world who don’t do gender reveal parties. This was a mystery all the way until the end, but the Great Uncle had a feeling this was going to be of the female species.

You know the old saying — Great Uncles just have a way of knowing.

She still doesn’t have a name, but I’m thinking that should take of itself by the time she needs a driver’s license.

But all levity aside, I was more than happy to sit in the fourth row of the bleachers and watch it all take place. (Well, not “all,” but you know what I mean.) There’s something magical about a child being brought into the world that never, ever, gets old.

It’s a day when everyone’s life changes, though some more than others. Even for the great uncle.

Today’s Happen is unashamedly about the DW Family because if you know us, you know we have no pride when it comes to being proud of the Inner Sanctum.

Miles is the newest member of the gang and is 1 today. One year old. One trip around the sun. He has not reported to work at the DW offices yet — Kids: what are you gonna do, right? — but as soon as he can walk we’ll teach him how to make coffee and run the copy machine.

An older member of the staff, Casey, is part of the talented and hard-working cast that will perform a two-act play by comedian Lewis Black, One Slight Hitch, opening Thursday night (Nov. 29) at Shreveport Little Theatre at 7:30. The play is set in the early 1980s so I’ve had to loan Casey a navy bandanna and my mullet that had been in storage.

The plot involves a girl about to get married and her anxious mom and her wacky sisters and dad and nice, well-groomed and up-to-snuff fiance and of course everything is perfect on the wedding day until the doorbell rings and it’s the bride’s old boyfriend. Hilarity ensues. Casey tells me it is comedy for the whole family, “depending on what kind of family you have.” (Actors know how to cover their tracks.)

ShreveportLittleTheatre.com has more info, but I can tell you the dates are Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 at 7:30 and Sunday matinees at 2 on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. Tickets are $20 and $22.

We will of course have a flattering review in an upcoming Daily Happen. If we can get Miles to get off his butt and write it.

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