November Boys

''Dear Johnny and Joey........ As always, it was wonderful getting together with what is left of our family for the holidays. The spirit of past family Christmas times has nicely settled on the present. I still look around for the ghosts of your Grandparents and Uncle Tom and Nana. They were in the room there, somewhere. We did not see them clearly, but, the sweet joy of their souls were swirling around us. They loved you both fiercely, as I do. I was thinking of them Christmas Eve, but, I was also thinking about you two........ I remember vividly the days you both were born. Johnny, you floated into the world in 1984, when your Uncle Jimmy was a mere eighteen. I did not have much experience with babies then. Most guys at that age do not. So, you were a bit of a mystery to me. How to hold you, what to do when you cried [ usually, babies want their Mom when they cry but you wanted to be held by anyone]. But, you hardly ever cried that I can think of. You always had a smile on that beautiful face of yours. Whomever walked into a room immediately wanted to pick you up and hold you. And, you never said no to that person. There you were, all fat and blond hair, being friendly and playful. You never whined, you never through fits. Happiness was all over you. And, that makes for a rising spirit of goodness for everyone around you. You were the first grandchild, so, of course, you were spoiled. If I didn't pay attention to you, you could easily go to your Uncle Tom for affection [ not an easy trick] and, certainly, your Gamma and Papa. Oh, how we spoiled you!!! I think of the day when you learned how to ride a bike. You would have thought that the Secret Service was guarding you. It was me, Papa, Uncle Tommy, and your Dad. We all were on the watch to make sure you didn't hurt yourself. And, you didn't. Like everything else in life, you picked up on it and excelled. I also think of Christmas time at your grandparents. The stack of presents were up high, all awaiting you opening them. The look of joy and happiness when you did open them has forever stayed in my mind's eye. As usual, you appreciated all of the gifts and thanked all of us. Your parents always, from the start, taught you good manners. You had your toys, the cars, the games, your little container of Pez candy, and most importantly to you, your valued walks with Papa down the block to see the big rock. You were a happy child who made the rest of the family glow. When, in 1989, you were presented with a younger brother, we all wondered on how you would take no longer being the center of attention. True to form, you took it calmly, in stride with your personality. You had a hell of a lot of patience with your younger brother. As we all had to...... Joey, as we have told you many times, you were a pain in the ass. Born five years after your brother, and like Johnny, a November baby, at times, I thought you were a howling demon from the Devil himself. Miserable. Always wanting only your Mom to hold you. That was a good choice, but, some of the rest of us wanted to nestle you in our arms, too. You would have none of that. You were lucky kid that, like your older brother, you were a beautiful baby. You had big cheeks and beautiful dark hair. As time wore on, and, your war with the rest of humanity touching you receded, your personality and joy came forward. And, that was worth the wait!! From the start, you made your presence known. I can recall that the Scoleri sense of humor seemed to be with you even at the age of three. A favorite family story is when, one time at your house, your Dad sent you to your room for being bad [ you had a hell of a temper, kid]. You did not want to go and finally your Dad took you in there and closed the door. Your Dad came back to the living room to talk to us again. That is when you whirled out of your room, came into the living room, looked at your Dad, and shouted at the top of your lungs at him, ''You fucker!'' and stormed off. Well, the room broke into hysterics. Obviously, you should not have called him that. But, I remember thinking that this kid has some balls. And, a rebellious streak. He is a Scoleri!!! As you grew up I was very happy to see the bond you and your brother had for each other. He looked out for you and you very much idolized him. That is a bond you two seemed to have taken with you both into adulthood. Being the baby in the family, Joey, as I can tell you, sure has its perks. You can get away with a lot of stuff that your siblings cannot. Your Mom and Dad were strict with Johnny, but, you got away with so much. It is cool, isn't it??!!! As you grew older, I observed a caring and love of all things that is very rare for someone your age. You take people as they are, no judging. I admire that but you have to be careful because some people deserve that judgment against them. But, your heart was open. And, I like that open heart. Your eyes sparkle with life and all it entails. I have, as other people in the family have commented on, noticed that you have many of my traits in your personality. You are good with people, see the world through the filter of humor, and make friends easily. I also see that you like your beverages and the ladies. Good, but, be careful you don't overdue both. And, stay away from strippers......... You have to forgive your Uncle here, guys. Sometimes, I find it difficult to believe that you both are men of the world. I still consider you runts running around the Christmas tree, begging all of us to let you open the gifts early. But, those days are long gone and you are men now. Good, solid, kind men. I am very proud of how you both turned out. You both would never hurt a fly. You both have matured into the type of person the world needs more of. You both are terrific fathers---- Johnny with Jordan and Aiden. Joey with the mighty Manny---- and I know the sweet spirit of your souls is in theirs also. I am no longer young, forty-eight people tell me, and your Mom is not also. We are not planning on going anywhere soon. But, I wanted to take this moment to officially hand off the family baton with you both. This is your quick pep talk about your duties that are expected of you both as you move through life. Never lose the sense of family. The Scoleri family has always been a good and decent family. We do not harm anyone. We always look out for the underdog. As you both are experiencing being out in the world now, there are many people out there that are ruthless and cutthroat. They would sell their mother's down the river for a healthy profit and gladly never bat an eye in guilt or shame. The family has never been part of this group. As your Uncle I expect you both to follow the family tradition of honor and loyalty and decency. Never be swayed by the dark forces out there. Your Papa always gave out sound advice. One thing I always remember him saying is ''Always be yourself. Never let anyone change whom you really are''. You will come across situations in life when you may cross that line of whom you are and are swayed to do bad things. This is not the Scoleri way. You two, in time, will be the living history of all that this family has been. And, I expect you both to obey the laws of our family heritage and bloodline. Never let anyone change you. Never hurt or disrupt another human being in life. That would go against your natural way of the goodness that swims in your souls. I have no doubts about you too and what road you will choose in life. It is the road that we all, in the family, have chosen. There will be some bumps, to be sure. Sometimes, it seems like you may have chosen wrong. You have not. Stay true to your goodness. It is whom you really are and you will have a much more rewarding life living this way. Try to make a healthy profit, yes, but never damn your soul by doing it. Ok, pep talk over....... I love you guys!! You make my life so much more enriching being around you. Thank you for being the men that you are!!! You make me very proud to call you my nephews!!!!......... Love, Uncle Jimmy''.........