In the passage, the narrator reflects on holding Alexander, a small child who inspires affection from those around him, particularly the narrator's father and Ashley. This moment highlights the joy and innocence that accompany the early stages of life, emphasizing how every person begins as a beloved child. The narrator reminisces about their own beginnings, mentioning siblings and friends, creating a sense of nostalgia.

However, there is an underlying sense of loss or change indicated by the phrase "somewhere along the way, it all got screwed up." This suggests that despite the love experienced in childhood, there were significant developments that altered their lives, leading to a more complicated emotional landscape as they grew older.