GiGi leaves

Dear JJ,

GiGi - your favorite story reader

You knew her from the day you were born, and she thankfully stayed with us for seven  weeks after. She comes back as often as she can just to see you, and now- she is back home in China.

Gigi was here for two months- Two wonderful months - where you were the center of her life, as she was the center of yours.  She was magic at putting you to bed, and she was the one you wanted to most see when you started to stir (well, you knew she didn't get up til noon, so you waited til then).

There is a special bond between the two of you.

You are lucky son- you have a lot of family and friends who love you.  I'm lucky to be your dad, and to see you so loved by so many people - and we will miss GiGi - but I promise, we will go to the end of the earth, China,  just so you can see her.

Love,

Dad

Your favorite person to sit with on a plane

A few days after GiGi left you stood at her door calling for her

Grandparents and uncles and aunts

Having GiGi, uncle Peter, and Grandpa for the holidays in Cabo was fun

Mom likes the holidays in Cabo too

Clearly you like Cabo

Then back for some holiday

And you love trucks and cars

Dear JJ,

Over the holiday season the best gift was having family here. You were around so many people who love you and care for you.  Your mom and I love that time - and we are so sad that this time is coming to an end.

 You are a very loved little boy by a lot of people.

Don't worry- soon we will visit some of them in China, and some of them in Oregon- and of course, there are all those aunties in Alaska.
Love,

Dad

The last breath

Dear JJ,

It is the most natural thing in the world for babies to reach for their parents when they become hurt or are in trouble, and yet those things last for a person's entire life.  Voice recorders from pilots who realize the plane is going to crash will cry out for their mothers.  It is the place of warmth and protection for us all.

When your uncle Jimmy became very sick, before he was put on the breathing machine- he spent a few minutes with his mother.  She was able to stroke his head, talk to him, and they were able to tell each other they loved one another.  It was the last conscious moments of his life. While children are never suppose to die before parents - I know that Jimmy was comforted in those final moments before he was given sedation and placed on the ventilator.  I also know that mom has that bitter sweet memory of being able to do that for her son.

Even today- when I call my parents (your grandparents) and mom finds out that I had a bit of oral surgery her words give me comfort.

One of the great joys I have found is when you are upset.  Crying, and no comfort- then you reach your arms out for me. Usually I take you outside and show you the moon, the stars, and even a passing jet. I show you the brightest star in the sky (usually it is the planet Jupiter) and tell you that is your star - its JJ's star. Or sometimes it is just putting you in a box with a rope and pulling you down the hall.

Giving you comfort- that is one of the joys your mom and I have.  We hope that you will always think of us that way- always.

Love,

Dad

Uncle Jimmy

Dear JJ,

Your uncle Jimmy would have been 60 years old today - he died in 2006 from lung cancer.  You were named after him.  Jimmy never had children - he had a cancer early in life that took away that ability, but he loved kids - -and was known to play endlessly with them, even when he didn't have the energy to do so.

I miss your uncle greatly. But in you I see a lot of him. You have that grin that you flash when you know you are getting away with something- the same smile my brother had - in fact, he wore that smile almost all the time. You are very social - even at this age- and Jimmy knew everyone. Most of the people at his memorial service knew him since he was a kid in Ketchikan.

So- here are a few photographs of your uncle, some when he was a little boy.

He was a good man- and not too many things make your daddy cry- but missing him, and seeing you are two of them.

James Erick Simpson 12/2/1951 - 12/7/2006  RIP

Love,

Dad

Jimmy's High School Photo

Mom holding Jimmy, brother Ron

The three boys- Jimmy on the right

In Ketchikan- Jimmy loved Christmas

Ron and his little brother Jimmy

After Jimmy died I asked my friend Jim Hunt to do a cartoon for us

Terry, Ron, Jimmy - a long time ago

One of the last photos of Jimmy taken in November 2006

Suffering from cancer, losing weight- still ready to eat

Jimmy's famous dog, Judas -

Jimmy, wife Bev, and my dad

Jimmy - on a beach - and now forever in our hearts

Through your eyes

Dear JJ,

Your second Thanksgiving - and we were able to celebrate with Grandma and Grandpa. It was a good time- and your little life has made this holiday mean a lot more than ever.

Grandma and Grandpa Simpson came down for Thanksgiving

When I was a young boy we lived in Alaska- away from family, but an area where there were a lot of friends and having people over was a great thing.  Occasionally we would be in Oregon, and there lots of friends and family would be over.  So many years have past, and so many of those nice folks have passed on. 

There were many years where I spent Thanksgiving far away from family, when I was in the mid-west. Locals would invite me over, but I didn't want  a sympathy Thanksgiving.  Occasionally my friends who were in similar circumstances at The University, would get together for a non-traditional time and enjoy some company.

For you, it is nice to grow up with memories, with family, and with a lot of friends. And you are lucky- there are so many people out there who love you and care for you. But we have been a bit selfish- and now it is time to have a lot more people over for these times.

This  grim reality hit me- all of those nice folks who loved me as a little boy are gone, and now you are the little boy.  Time goes by fast, and you are a loved little man by so many.  And if there happen to be those who want to stay by themselves as I once did-- time for them to realize -- life is short, and there is this special little boy who has a whole lot of love to give.  There is another part of that grim reality - I won't be with you for every Thanksgiving - so the more great memories and aunties and uncles and grandparents you have, the sweeter life will be. So my goal is to always see Thanksgiving through your eyes.

Just like my parents, who are in their 80's did for you by coming down here for this one- your mom and I will come see you for every holiday we can.

Love,

Dad

Where else can you play outside in November

Your best buddy, Luck

You like your dad's Turkey

Felt your first raindrop

Loving to read

Your Grandma- checking out how your dad is making eggs

Returning to Ketchikan

Coming to my hometown, Ketchikan, with my son

Dear JJ,

I grew up in this little town called Ketchikan, Alaska - about 5000 residents (if you counted dogs and cats). When I went away to college in 1974 I came back for summers until 1978 - and after my folks left there didn't seem to be much of a reason to return. 

For years Ketchikan, Alaska,  my hometown,  didn't cross my  mind  - then you came along. Now there was this need to connect where I grew up with you.   You and your mom awakened something- because I connected here I want to share this special little place I grew up with your uncle Jimmy and Ron. 

Something about the town I grew up in, now makes a place in me. So this  September we made a trip back to the hometown - and something tells me we will be going back again.

Here are some early and current photos

Love,

Dad

Tower Road today- paved

Tower Road in 1956 with Your Uncle Jimmy

The last time this cedar fence was stained was when I did it in 1978

Behind our garage you can see a bit of the fence left

From our house looking down Alaska Ave. in 1975

Your Grandpa built this house

Uncle Ron and Uncle Jimmy

Flying to Metlakatla to fly to Oregon

Uncle Jimmy, your dad, and Uncle Ron- on Tower Road

The house Grandpa Built- 3903 Alaska Ave

Your dad, uncle Jimmy, uncle Ron getting ready for School

Creek Street in 1965 - more later

Sept 2011 - looking up Tower Road

The house grandpa built today in Sept 2011

Our old backyard has been overgrown but mom's flowers are still blooming

This was one way we had to get off the island!

Our house on the corner of Alaska Ave and Tower Road - 1968