Jim
Today marks the fifth time August 9th will be an incredibly tough day to maintain a positive outlook without the man who made it such a special day for 23 years. It had always been a memorable celebration, because Jim was a man who would never let the opportunity to celebrate pass by without making sure he corralled the people closest to him, so he could make the most of his day. Jim would be sure to seize the day if it involved a reason to bring his friends and or family all together for a fun and exciting time. Not just his own birthday, but birthdays of all friends, big games, holidays and close friends’ proud accomplishments. Jim would always ensure he and his nearest and dearest enjoyed life together to its fullest.
This day has been extremely tough for me each of the last five years, and in just a week plus a day I will be getting married. I will not only be missing your uncanny ability to uplift me and those around us, but most of all it breaks my heart we are not able to spend this day side by side like we had agreed upon many years ago. My heart also breaks every time my future wife Jessica asks me about you, or I tell her stories of our past, and I am reminded that the most important person in my life didn’t have the chance to meet you, and truly get to realize not only just how unique, and special of a person you were, but also how important you were to me as well. She has developed as much of an understanding of your incredibly distinct qualities as she can, by capitalizing on every chance she gets to ask someone she knows, who was also close to you, what you were like. She has heard many memories of you, created with those close to you. They have not, and will never forget.
On a totally separate subject I was able to meet your absolutely adorable niece Hunter Marie James Mattatall. We shared quite a special moment as I held her, only two months old, in my arms and she looked up and smiled at me. I can’t imagine how proud you are to have your name attached to such a beautiful young soul with so much life and opportunity ahead of her. We all know you are going to do everything in your power to protect her from everything ahead in her journey throughout life, and of course the boys.
Now I don’t want to cause any confusion here with my wording of this letter. You would assume that I might think Jim is unaware of what is going on here with all of us, but I believe he is indeed somewhere observing. When Jim’s mom Elaine asked me if I wanted to provide an addition to Dob’s Corner for his upcoming 28th birthday, and my wedding, there was no doubt I wanted to, but I just wasn’t sure how to structure it. After deep contemplation I realized this could be the opportunity to provide a platform to carry out a conversation with Jim, something I have been deeply desiring since December 17, 2011.
For everyone who takes the time to read this, remember that he is observing us all, through our highs and lows, our successes and achievements, both the good and bad decisions we make. So next time you’re stuck deliberating a choice that seems like a fork in the road that can go two separate directions keep that in mind. If you feel you have already taken the wrong turn, you can always use his presence, and your knowledge of what he would think, to work through it, and back onto the right path. Jim is still here somewhere for all of us.
Love,
Justin