James at One Month

James,

You are so big. You had your one-month check-up today and you were 8 pounds and 13 ounces.  When you were born, you were 6 pounds. So, in one month, you have increased your weight by 46%.  Think about that. You came two weeks early.  So, if I do my math right, in one month you gained almost 50% of the weight you gained in a little over 8 months. 

Your mom deserves most of the credit.  She has been so diligent in making sure you get all of the nutrients you need for a great start to grow up healthy and strong.  In addition, your mom and dad – especially your dad – make sure we get almost daily updates on you, which makes your grandma Lizzy and I feel like we are in Boston with you.  Your dad’s captions with some of the photos he sends are funny.  He is so proud of you.

Some of these letters will be quite short, but I want to make sure I capture these precious days and months in writing so that I do not forget how wonderful this time is. Sometimes these letters will be serious with some advice, sometimes they will be whimsical, and sometimes I may relay to you some of my own thoughts about the world you were born into.

Speaking of the world you were born into, 2020 has been a crazy year for everyone in the world because of a global pandemic known as COVID-19.  Some of the fallout from the Pandemic has been racial Protests, a very divided Political environment during a presidential election year, and a biased Press that seems intent on hyperbole instead of thoughtful debate.

Like many times during the course of human history, we have gone through rough periods, but we always pull through.  And future generations learn and do better than those generations before them – much the same way your generation will do. Compared to my generation, your mom and dad’s generation is gentler to the earth, more tolerant of people from different cultures and backgrounds, and most of all, see the world as one community.

When raising my three sons, I wanted them to grow up to be better people than me. That is the goal of every parent. I think I succeeded. Your parents have their work cut out for them. Why? Because it will be very difficult for their own children to be better people than they are. However, if you grow up to be just as good as they are, your parents will have accomplished much.

With much love,

Papa Johnny