To hear your voice

Dear JJ,

When you first giggled, as an infant - your mom and I smiled. I remember thinking - if I were to die, and want to have the last pleasant though, it would be to replay that giggle in my mind. It makes me smile.

My mom, grandma Simpson, isn't doing well. At 87 she doesn't have much time left. In some of her bad moments she will call "just to hear your voice." I'm her son, her little boy, and yet one of the things she just wants to hear is my voice.

It doesn't change. When I am not around you, and I call, sometimes I just want to hear your voice. And I suspect, if I know I am closing my eyes for the last time on earth, I will think of your voice and I will smile.

Love,

Dad

Running to see me at the airport, "Daddy."

Jumping at Jump City - getting wiggles out and laughing

Five Years Old

Dear JJ,

Yesterday was your fifth birthday - and since you and mom were staying in Canada to escape the heat, I took a few days off to travel up there - because I remember when I was five. Well- I don't remember the birthday, I just remember my brother, Ron telling me that I was five years old. 

When I put you to sleep the night before your birthday I asked for a hug, because it was the last night I could hug my four year old son. The next morning I asked for another hug- because it is the first time I get to hug my five year old son. I know it sounds strange- but your dad meant it.

What you enjoyed most was having friends over and playing with them. You loved that more than the gifts - and that is a great lesson. 

No matter where you go son, and you have - in five years gone over 200,000 miles - the things you will enjoy are not things - but friends (and sometimes family) - but mostly friends. So make a lot of them, and forget the things- just enjoy the friends.

Love,

Dad

Our attempt at a family photo on your birthday - seems you were having too much fun 

Our Favorite Game

The best part of your birthday was your friends- not the gifts

Not that gifts aren't cool

Some are really cool

Yes son- two can play at not wanting a photo taken

Waking up Uncle Peter with "cymbals" 

It can have consequences  - wrestling time!

Mom's shoe

Mom's shoe - left here when she was a little girl

Dear JJ,

We went to Norway for a family reunion.

When my mom was 9 years old, in 1937, she went to Norway to visit our relatives.

It turns out that when mom left, she forgot her dancing shoe in the summer home by the family farm. The place where they would take the sheep to graze during the summer. So they nailed her shoe up and said when she comes back they would give it to her.

When my grandfather would go back, he would write a bit in a note and stuff it in the shoe, and finally in 1997, mom got back and she and dad wrote in the shoe. They went again in 2007. I had heard this story growing up. Now I got to write in the shoe - for the first time.

Wanting a connection with our past is part of the human condition. Part of the reason this "older" dad writes this to you. Somehow that shoe represents that entire past of our relatives - and writing in it seemed to fill some destiny. I know, most have lofty thoughts with destiny - but trust me, the best destiny is feeling connected and loved - like you do with us, and now with your family in Norway

Love,

Dad

Nothing like fresh fish - with Cousin Silje and your new best friend Eline

And even though you didn't speak the language - you found a new friend, a cousin, you could play with and while we are all eating at the family reunion - always good to have conversation

In the summer cabin - things are "rustic" - but like your dad, you do your best thinking here

Inside the shoe - a note from my grandfather, Eric Otnes - and every

time he came back - another quick note

You two invented your own language  to talk.

In the background is the Stabur, built in the 1600's it is where salted meat would be kept, and cheese would be made. 

Happy Birthday Gigi

Dear JJ,

Today is Gigi's birthday. 

You have a special bond with her- always have. But so have I. 

I was a new dad, at age 53, not really knowing what to do. For the first seven weeks of your life she was there- from your first hour. In fact one of the hardest days I had as a new dad was when we had to say goodbye to her after her being with us for seven weeks.  For her saying goodbye to you that day was hard for her - you can see it in the photo below.

The first two years of your life the only time your mom and I went out to dinner by ourselves was when Gigi was watching you. 

When you took your first plane ride, at six weeks old, Gigi came with us to Oregon so you could meet my parents. Of course, ten minutes before we got on the plane you had a poop-apocalypse. Your mom and Gigi just laughed and cleaned it up.

You are lucky son, to have Gigi. So am I. 

Happy birthday Gigi,

Love,

Dad

For the first seven weeks

A special bond the two of you have

You always have fun together

One of the hardest days of being a new parent is when Gigi had to leave

She has known you since the day you were born - in your first hour

Waiting for Morning Coffee

Dear JJ,

You wake up when I am getting my second cup of coffee and we have coffee together.  Yours is about two ounces of coffee, two sugar cubes, some of your mom's adulterated creamer - and water.

But it is our morning coffee.

Yesterday morning I had to leave before you even got up.

When I got home you told me,

"I missed our morning coffee, daddy."

Writing this waiting for you to wake up so we can have our time.


Love,

Dad

Your tastes have changed - now you like coffee - but in the "purple cup."

Early this morning coffee - 

Adds water to the coffee

Ah - nothing like some coffee with daddy in the purple cup

We have had coffee for a long time together

Auntie Bev

Dear JJ,

It was so nice to see you with Auntie Bev the other day. Your uncle Jimmy was unable to have children and I recall, many years ago, my mom saying, "Both Jimmy and Bev are crazy about kids." I also remember in my mom's darkest times when she was only remembering things of the past her saying to Bev, "He sure was crazy about you."

We all miss Jimmy  - but seeing you with her, helping her - it just brought some good memories of a man we all miss.

Love,

Dad

Uncle Jimmy and Auntie Bev 

Working at their yard in Oregon

Add caption

A little pond with some fish

Helping Aunti Bev

Mother's Day 2015

Dear JJ,

Moms are just a great thing. Today is mother's day and for it we took a trip up to Oregon to see your grandmother, my mom.

But let's start out with your mom.  When we met she was a high-powered television executive producer - doing the job she wanted since she was a child. Meeting everyone she wanted in the celebrity world. But now she loves this job- she loves playing "Avengers" or "Star Wars" with you. She loves spending time with you, and snuggling.

You have two grandmothers - one is old and frail - but beams when she sees you, or knows you are coming. When I talk to her on the phone I can hear her smile when she talks about you.

Gigi was there from the day you were born - and made being a new dad an easy job. She loves watching and taking care of you and you bring much joy into your life.

I'm lucky - and so are you. Three great moms.

Never forget to thank those who are mom's JJ -

Love,

Dad

Mom and me - getting ready to get on an airplane - I always liked airplanes, and always loved to go with mom

Your mom - who else would risk their lives to carry you, play "Star Wars" with you?

While mom cannot see, or hear well, and her memory fades - she is always happy to see you- from the moment we told her she was going to be a grandmother, to this day - she smiles when we mention your name. I think once you become a mom the thing you never forget is a child.

Your Gigi - another grandma - there from the day you were born, and always loves to read you stories, take care of you, put you to sleep.