Dear JJ,
When I look back at old photographs of my parents, I see this young, happy couple who clearly loved each other very much. My parents very attractive in their day- but even more than that, were well suited - and we just got to help them celebrate their 64th anniversary together.
Like my parents, I am lucky. Your mom, besides being a beautiful lady in looks, is a wonderful person on the inside, is bright, and one of the more caring persons I know. Not only lucky because of having a companion that suits me well, but lucky because of her we have you- a beautiful son.
Sometimes I don't let her know enough.
Someday I wish for you what I have, what my parents have- a companion that is well suited for you.
Love Dad
A blog of letters from an older father to his young son... Meant for an audience of one- shared with you.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
JJ in Alaska
That is one large cow |
We said antelope not cantaloupe |
Sticks - why do we buy toys? |
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OK, you say, lets get this ship moving |
My favorite time, anytime with you |
Nothing like Gig to rest while on a long train ride |
Another pine cone |
You love pine cones and sticks |
Fox Island - where Rockwell Kent became inspired. He was with his son, I am with mine |
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Sometimes a long day on a boat is rough |
These lions don't roar |
You with Gigi - watching for whales |
You and mom on the train in Alaska |
These fellows came out just to see you |
Your favorite bedtime song is "A whale of a tail" and here is the whale |
Being an Alaskan dad means I get to take you to Alaska. This time we got to go with Gigi. But now that you are two it means I buy your airline seat- so how much will that slow us down -- well, not too much.
I have done a lot of travel in my life - but now the travel is fun. Seeing the world through your eyes opens up mine. Every now and then I go on a trip without you and mom, and that just seems empty.
So- we are a family, or as I like to say "Team Simpson."
Love,
Dad
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Bye Butterfly
Dear JJ,
You found a little butterfly, and played with it for a while. But as the butterfly would move you were a bit rough - so I had to catch the butterfly and let it go.
You cried and cried, as I told you the butterfly went to the moon. But then you looked up at the moon and said, "Bye butterfly."
Our time is short son- and everyday when I go to work and you say "Bye daddy," my heart melts - and I hope that it is soon I get to see you again. One day I won't- and it will be like the butterfly. But until then we will play a lot, and I hold precious every hug and kiss.
Love,
Dad
You found a little butterfly, and played with it for a while. But as the butterfly would move you were a bit rough - so I had to catch the butterfly and let it go.
You cried and cried, as I told you the butterfly went to the moon. But then you looked up at the moon and said, "Bye butterfly."
Our time is short son- and everyday when I go to work and you say "Bye daddy," my heart melts - and I hope that it is soon I get to see you again. One day I won't- and it will be like the butterfly. But until then we will play a lot, and I hold precious every hug and kiss.
Love,
Dad
Looking for butterflies at St. James Park in London |
Did you know you have a beautiful mom? |
You have become quite able to play with your iPod games |
Fans fascinate you |
Having Gigi give you a bath is the best |
I value every hug and kiss |
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Nothing like greens |
Chasing seagulls in La Jolla |
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Happy 2nd JJ
Dear JJ,
Two years old! Some say that time passes by quickly, that in a breeze children grow up - I am so thankful that this hasn't happened.
These last two years have been the best to years of my life. They have not gone by quickly- because every day I get to spend with you brings me so much joy. When people look back on life, they say it has gone by quickly- but that is just an illusion. The days with you have been filled with joy, and tenderness, and love - and awe at watching this little boy grow.
So happy birthday, JJ. And thank you.
Love,
Dad
Two years old! Some say that time passes by quickly, that in a breeze children grow up - I am so thankful that this hasn't happened.
These last two years have been the best to years of my life. They have not gone by quickly- because every day I get to spend with you brings me so much joy. When people look back on life, they say it has gone by quickly- but that is just an illusion. The days with you have been filled with joy, and tenderness, and love - and awe at watching this little boy grow.
So happy birthday, JJ. And thank you.
Love,
Dad
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Always a place for you on my lap |
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Every morning you steal my coffee |
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You always reach for more- and hopefully always will |
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Pondering the wonders of nature |
Finding a doggie small enough to walk - this one is from Aunti Kim |
Curious about the wine- but not time to steal it |
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Every morning is our time |
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And busy days lead to naps |
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
JJ Travels
JJ - always ready for the next adventure |
Dear JJ,
Today you and your mom come back from Canada- your last trip on a lap. The good news is that you are coming home- and I'm excited to see you and your mom. Whenever you are away it is always wonderful to have you come home. The bad news is that when you turn two on Friday the airlines will want you to have your own seat.
We have been lucky, only a few times have we had to pay a bit for you to travel with us, but now you will be getting your own seat - and the hardest part of that isn't the airfare, its that you are getting older.
Your first trip at 6 weeks |
As you can see, you have traveled over 93,000 miles by air. You've been on three continents: Europe, Asia, and North America, and in six countries: USA, Mexico, Canada, China, England, and France.
So here are a few photos of your travels around the world - starting with your first trip at age six weeks when you flew to Oregon to meet your Grandma and Grandpa.
You have always enjoyed flying - and one of your first words was "jet." So, son, as we start the "two's" with your own airline seat -- here is to our next adventure, whatever place it may be. Before I met your mom I always liked to travel alone -- now the only way to travel is with family!
Love,
Dad
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Finally Grandma and Grandpa Simpson meet their first grandchild |
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Your First Birthday party- of course it was on the road in Canada |
And even though Grandma was in her 80's she still knew how to hold and sooth a baby |
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A couple of weeks later we flew to Ohio/Kentucky where Grandpa had a reunion of his WW 2 group |
They required a printed ticket for you at Security- here was your first |
In Anchorage - from our hotel The Captain Cook |
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We would go back to see the grandparents often |
I finally learned why hotels had ice - to keep the formula cold! |
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Soon we wouldn't have to help you look out the windows - you'd be able to do it all by yourself |
Our first trip we made with GiGi- she wasn't there to calm you, she was there to calm us! |
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We discovered you liked water in Cabo |
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As you grew you still liked Grandma |
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Sometimes in hotels we would have to go to lengths to entertain you- but mostly we love to hear you laugh |
I think you are wondering what I am doing in your seat |
And you get to meet uncle Ron- and he is wearing the hat he wore as a child that now you wear |
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And you got to meet one of mom's close friends EJ |
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In Park City Utah, looking at snow |
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A day on the slopes always wore you out |
You are enjoying this place in Mexico! Oh Lay |
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Finally standing- one of your first words is "JET" |
Always ready for a trip- you like to help us pack |
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In Oregon we find that not only pools- but water parks are fun for you |
In September 2011 you come to your dad's hometown of Ketchikan, Alaska |
One of your favorite songs is "Got a whale of a tale to tell you lads." And you saw the whale's tail |
As you grow you see more of Anchorage |
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That is one big teddy bear |
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You love it when Gigi flies with us |
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So we had to visit them in China |
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Grandpa loves taking you for morning walks |
Then in May Grandpa Simpson says lets go to France |
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Checking out British Airways, Seat 1A |
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In England Dad and I share a pint |
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And you and mom have to get into the action too |
You love dogs - and in Atlanta you get to walk Aunti Kim's dog |
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Then two weeks later you get to see your favorite Aunt in Canada |
Aunti Kim and Uncle Bob taking their favorite for a walk |
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At the cottage in Canada your favorite food is Grandpa's oatmeal, that you call "MealOat" |
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