Today is April 29, 2011.

Dear Son, aka, J.J., (James Jr.), JB (Jesus boy), JJ, (Jackass Jr.).

This letter is to wish you the happiest birthday ever, and to tell you how much I love you!

This letter is reaching you in April on your birthday, but I started it many times before. I just could never seem to find the right words I wanted to say.  At 14 years of age you will start having some major changes, mentally, physically, and spiritually, that you may not understand. 

So I’m going to pass down some advice that my Momma gave me years ago, when I was about your age. I asked her if she got these words out of a song, but she swore to me she didn’t.  Anyways, they have served me well throughout the years, and I wanted to pass them on to you, because I love you as much as my momma loved me.  

Well mamma told me, when I was young.

Said sit beside me, my only son.

And listen closely, to what I say.

And if you do this, it well help you, some sunny day.

Ah yeah, it will.

Oh take your time, don't live to fast.

Troubles will come, and they will pass.

You'll find a woman, and you'll find love.

And don't forget that there is a Someone up above.

And be a simple, kind of man.

Be something, you love and understand.

Baby be a simple, kind of man.

Oh won't you do this for me son, if you can.

Don't get your lust, from the rich man's gold.

All that you need now is in your soul.

And you can do this, oh baby, if you try.

All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied.

And be a simple, kind of man.

Be something, you love and understand.

Baby be a simple, kind of man.

Oh won't you do this for me son, if you can.

Oh don't you worry, you'll find yourself.

Follow your heart, and nothing else.

And you can do this, oh baby, if you try.

All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied.

And be a simple kind of man

Oh won't you do this for me son, if you can.

So baby be a simple...be a simple man.

Oh won't you do this for me son...if you can.

Can you steal the Sun from the sky?

Well, it’s April again, which means it’s the month that both of my children were born.  Two birthdays in the same month, wow.  I hear all kinds of horror stories from other parents with this kind of situation but I don’t really understand them.  I hear stories about kids fighting over who will have the best party, who gets the best presents, and so on, and so on and so on. 
But here in Paradise, we don’t have those kinds of problems.  My kids (and my wife) seem to find ways to “steal the sun from the sky”, no matter what happens on their birthdays.  I know, it’s just not normal, and sometimes I worry about whether they will grow up to become part of some kind of love commune like we had (I mean, other people had) back in the 60’s. 
I, myself, am still trying to learn their secret of how to be happy in any circumstance.  They keep talking about some “relationship with God,” and some guy named Jesus.  I guess I could learn a lesson or two about faith and trust from them.  
Maybe that’s just their spiritual gift.  My gift is pain and suffering.  It keeps me humble and reminds me that “it’s not about me.”  I just have to trust that God knows what He’s doing.  Yeah, it’s that trusting thing that I need to work on, for sure.  If anybody reading this is a fellow brother or sister in the Faith, please say a prayer for me (and my family).
Thanks for listening.  God’s blessings be with you!
Praise be to our Father in heaven, and His Son Jesus, who died for us all!
James.