Rod and Laura

Dear JJ,

Since you were born we have had two people who have been a part of your life.

Rod is a handyman who I've known for 20 years. I've operated on him, he has painted our house. I remember the day he got his liver transplant- he was at our house when he got the call.  He went from being on death's doorstep to having a life again - not without challenges, but he is doing great.

His wife Laura offered to clean the house a couple of days a week. When she would come you would follow her around and mop and clean and help her.  Besides your grandmother, Gigi, she was the first person we felt comfortable staying with you - babysitting.

Every trip Rod has taken us to the airport, dropped us off and hugged us goodbye.

Rod and Laura got new jobs today - so we won't be seeing them much anymore. Do you know what bothered me the most - that they have been a part of your life and they will be much less of it. People come and go in lives, son - for reasons that are beyond control.

So when you find great friends - enjoy the time you have with them, because in a wink of an eye circumstances will change - but cherish the memory.

Love,

Dad

Fathers Day 2014

Dear JJ,

This is my third Father's Day!

Somehow this has become my favorite holiday. Not that I want gifts, because on this day I am reminded that almost four years ago I was given the greatest gift -becoming a dad.  It's my favorite title, it is the greatest club I have ever belonged to.

Today you are 42 inches tall and weigh 42 pounds - full of energy, and full of smiles. You love to tease your mom and me - and we can always tell, because you get this smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye. But every night I get to put you to bed you tell me you love me, and even though I want you to get to sleep, that just stops me in my tracks.

I don't have anything profound to say to you today son. Like my dad said - kids provide fountains of love.

Love,
Dad

And Happy Father's Day to my dad - here doing his duties when I was seven months old

My two favorite people:  you and your mom flying kits

You have become quite a reader - sometimes we are amazed that you can read

Three generations of Simpson Men - always moving

You have become quite a world traveler 

Our First Family Photo - July 20, 2010

Watching Parents Age

Dear JJ,

I've been lucky that my parents, your grandparents, are still here. But the hard part is seeing them age. If you are lucky, you will see this happen to your mom and I.

While the hearing gets worse, the eyesight more dim, and difficulty negotiating around what I've noticed is the smiles get larger when they see us and no matter how tired they are they always love to hear about their grandson.

Your grandmother goes out every day to tend to her garden, and works until she is tired - she has done this my entire life. It is harder for her now, she gets more tired - but the beauty of the yard is a testament to her love of gardening.

Your grandfather got a hernia several years ago after lifting multiple 20 pound bags of cement to build a fencepost. Two years ago we all went to Europe to chase him around England and France.

We cannot help growing older - just as you get taller and stronger, there comes a point in life when things don't work as well, and it is easy to get tired.

I just hope that I learn from my parents to smile bigger, laugh more, and enjoy family as the best treasure of life- and as you grow older will learn to grow with the grace and smiles we already see in you.

Love,
Your old Dad

Your Grandparents in 1991

We meet them at their favorite restaurant for coffee - this was April 2014

And here the three generations - lucky we have you

Mother's Day 2014

Dear JJ,

For Mother's Day we went to Oregon to see my mom - you are her only grandchild. Her eyes aren't very clear, and her ears are a bit hard of hearing, but she loves it when you are around.

Then there is your mom - and those who knew her years ago would think that she would never be a mom - and yet she is yours. And she is an amazing mom - sometimes I check in and see her playing with you, laughing with you - and the biggest smile on her face. 

Moms- we miss Gigi this year, but don't worry son - you get to see her soon.

We are lucky to have you in our lives, son. Without a son, your mom wouldn't be a mom - she discovered a part of herself that fills her heart with joy -- just like I hope I did with my mom.

Love,

Dad

Two Great Moms - Yours and Mine.

We use to travel by putting you in a stroller - now you are insisting on rolling your own suitecase

Mom, Dad, Sparky - and the two of us- 

Finding new friends at the airport to play with

At the bookstore- insisting on reading a new book

Enjoying a day by the river in Portland with mom

The Joy of A Little Boy

Dear JJ,

I never knew how much joy you would bring into my life - but every time I think of you - every photo that your mom shares with me- every time I come home and see you - it melts my heart.

You've changed a bit since you were born -  you use to wake up at 5 am and that would be our time. Now you sleep in with your mom.

You no longer use diapers - and I never realized how freeing that is, but it is great.

We don't need the stroller - and that is great because it saves on travel. Although that stroller was a faithful companion on three continents.

But you still love mommy and daddy, and Lucky - and GiGi, Papa, Uncle Peter, Aunti Kim, Uncle Bob, and Grandma and Grandpa Simpson.  Plus a few assorted aunties and uncles that you have no idea they are not related to us- but to you they are.

Every night when I put you to bed, before you go to sleep you always say, "I love you, daddy."

Does anyone have more riches than that?

Love,

Dad

Finding the water puddles in the park

Bye bye stroller

Dear JJ,

Now we say goodbye to your stroller. It has been with you for over 150,000 miles - been the occasional place to nap, your safe place while your mom and I whizzed around the globe with you, and a great place to keep lots of things- not only for you but for us.

It wasn't your first stroller - and it was probably was one of our least expensive. But on our last trip to Mexico we didn't use the stroller once.  You walked with us everywhere- stayed awake with us for dinner and didn't use it.

I hate to give the thing up - it held you safe and close for three and a half years. It is another symbol of you growing up - and that is ok. I guess my job is to make sure that I keep holding you safe and close - and that is my favorite job in the world

Love,
Dad

Here you are resting in our trip to my hometown of Ketchikan, Alaska

You were in some great restaurants with this stroller. Endured an 18 course dinner with us at Graham Elliots in Chicago

Even though you were in a stroller, you always loved holding dad's hand. Here grandpa is pushing you through the streets of Tianjin in China

From the stroller you saw the world

And you were always ready to say "cheers"

Waking up

Dear JJ,

You wake up still in the night, and cry.
I get a bottle, put you back to bed, ask if you want a hug, and you say yes.
I lay down, wait for you to snore, and then head back to bed.
Then I smile. I know my sleep is interrupted but I made you feel better, and this is the best job,
being dad.

Love,

Dad.

We surprised you this week with Gigi, who met you at the hotel in Honolulu. There is a special bond between the two of you - always has been. We are lucky to have her in our lives

Your Favorite Food- Noodles

Snuggling with Gigi as she reads you a story

Not sure of the Disney characters - not sure at all

But this wonderful lady sings, and you love singing

Dad, you like sushi, right?

We need to order food

Captain of the ship