Becoming Scrooge

This year I put up a tree- first one I have put up in decades. With a big smile- because my son wants to decorate it.

Dear JJ,

You may have heard of the story of Scrooge- who lost the spirit of Christmas. When he was young he loved the holiday, but after a series of life events he lost that spirit and reveled in saying, "Bah humbug." He regained his spirit and became quite a man of Christmas cheer.

Somehow I had fallen into that. When I was a child I loved Christmas. My mom had the best and most meticulously decorated tree of all. Somewhere in my early adult life I lost the spirit of the holiday, perhaps because beliefs changed, or I was busy, or I was turned off by the commercialism  - a bit of all of it.

But my change didn't come because I was visited by ghosts, or found some new belief, and it didn't happen overnight. But today I saw the completed change.  Right now you are on the plane with your mom on your way home. Having spent extra time with your aunt Kim and family after Thanksgiving.

This morning- I put up the Christmas tree. Strung it with lights, and had a big smile on my face knowing you would be home and would love to decorate it.

You and your mother- completed the story of Scrooge for me.

Thank you son - a bit of love made this holiday a great one for me.

Love,

Dad

Your mom and I celebrated our first X-mas in 2009 with you in utero. We were quite happy- and inspired to put action figures on the tree. It was the first X-mas I was enjoying celebrating for many years

Last year you took a bit of interest in the tree - more than any year before

When you were 2, you didn't like Christmas ornaments - so when your mom was gone skiing you and I tossed them into the swimming pool. I thought I found a Scrooge spirit.

Like Uncle Ron you always liked trains

This year, with Auntie Kim and Riley, you found a new interest in decorating the tree

Of course your idea of a nativity scene is like mine - where does Batman go?

Tough Time Of Year

Dear  JJ,

This is a difficult time of year for me. Today would be Uncle Jimmy's 63rd birthday - the person you were named after. My brother, my friend- and the uncle who would have spent hours endlessly playing with you because he loved children as much as any person I have ever met.

He had many friends- and at his funeral people came from many miles around who had known him since he was a kid growing up in Ketchikan.

Every year Auntie Bev sends out a photograph of him with a bit of poetry that is the best descriptor of him. This is his photo and below are the words she sent out:

The measure of a man is not determined by his show of outward strength, or the volume of his voice, or the thunder of his action.  It is to be seen, rather, in terms of the nature and depth of his commitments, the genuineness of his friendships, the sincerity of his purpose, the quite courage of his convictions, his capacity to suffer, and his willingness to continue “growing up.”    Grady Poulard

James Erick Simpson
December 2, 1951~December 7, 2006

Loved By All

You have his smile, his sense of adventure- his love of people. No matter what you do in life, I couldn't me more proud of you for being like him.

Love,

Dad

The look

The smile

Mom is Home

Good to Have Mom Home

Dear JJ,

We went to Oregon for a quick trip to see everyone. The good news is that my mom, grandma, is home. She got a bit better- far from perfect, but it is so good that she is home and back with dad and her beloved dog, Sparky.

I keep asking my folks if they would consider moving closer to us - because there may come a time when I can't ask them, and time is running out.  I just wanted to let you know one thing:
if you ever ask your mom and I to move closer, you won't have to ask twice.

Love,

Dad

In the Kitchen

Dear JJ,

You have always enjoyed hanging around the kitchen. Now- when I go into the kitchen to make something you want to help.

Since I love the kitchen, and you are such a great help - your mom has started to make a video of the times.

So here are a few photographs of us in the kitchen.

Love,

Dad

Even as a baby we found a place to keep you

The three of us love hanging around the kitchen

For a brief period of time we tried to keep you two characters out

But you always liked seeing what was going on

So we started with simple stuff to make

We even got your mom in the kitchen

A good chef tastes food

Can't think of anyone I would want more to help me in the kitchen

Add caption

The Joys of Halloween

Dear JJ,

Do you know one of the great joys of being a dad? It isn't being able to watch our childhood again- it is having such a deep love that we watch you love being a kid.

Tonight I look forward to taking you out to Trick or Treat. To see your face when you get the loot- to watch people admire your Captain America outfit. To watch you flex your muscles when I ask you to.

To see you smile.

Your smile is the joy that warms my heart - and every holiday I just smile more because of it. Thank you

Love,

Dad

Dressing up for your Pre School Party

Your mom gets to take you. The hard part of working is I just get to see photographs- but the fun part of today is I get to see you. 

Pleasing

You came into the bathroom and seeing me brush my teeth wanted to brush yours- even though you just woke up

Dear JJ,

Four years old is full of energy - a lot of energy. But even with all that energy you want to spend a lot of it trying to please us, and make us smile.

The hard part is when you feel as if you don't please us. Then you cry.

You even picked up a sense of humor and teasing- if you can make us laugh or smile, then you are so happy.

We want to please you, son. We like it when you are happy, and healthy, and growing.

I just can't believe how much joy you have brought to our lives,

Love,

Dad

You love to help daddy in the kitchen

The Sweetness at the End

Dear JJ,

Going to see my folks for their 66th Anniversary and Dad's 90th birthday was difficult.  My first time to see my mom in a "memory care unit," and I didn't know what to expect.

But you made it great.

My parents have this deep and abiding love, that probably few will know- especially with the years they have had together. You can see the pure contentment they have around each other. But you bring them a different joy.

Your mom said something that struck, "Having JJ at this point in their lives is like the sweetness in the end."

My son- the dessert in life.

You are that for us too, son. We have had a great life, but you are the sweet that gives us so much joy and smiles. Thank you,

Love,

Dad

Dad said to mom, "I'm sorry it has to be this way." Mom said to dad, "These 66 years have been my pleasure."

Nothing makes people smile like a happy boy with a balloon 

Two days later, even at the 90th birthday- the balloons are back and everyone is all smiles