Life Through Our Kids

Remembering Life Through Our Kids

My son Jess turns 36 today.

It feels like yesterday, Kathy and I woke up and knew January 23rd, 1990, was the day.

He started at 10 pounds, and today he’s 6’5” and towers over everyone in the family.

We love both our boys.

The funny thing about parenting is that each child fills a special spot in your world, a place in your heart, hollowed out by God, designed to be filled by that one special person.

Jess was the kid I could ask to do anything, and if it meant having fun, he’d do it.

KEZI used to pay us to go on vacation if we’d shoot stories with our family.

Jess was all about it.

We went to a dude ranch.

We visited New York City, one year after 9-11.

We even visited a remote village on a trip to Mexico and rode four-wheelers in a mango orchard.

If I had to describe both my sons, the best word would be Kind.

When they were young, the teachers could put them with the less liked kids, and while the boys didn’t always like it, they were kind and didn’t complain.

One time, Kathy and I were in Livingston, Montana, at a brewery.

As we were leaving, a couple of old-timers asked us why we were there.

We mentioned Jess, and they said, “Jess Dancer?”

They proceeded to tell us what an outstanding young man our son is.

How he came to the town didn’t make waves, but he carved out a place for himself by being thoughtful and kind.

We got outside, looked at each other, and smiled.

Isn’t that what you want for your kids?

Oh, life isn’t perfect, but when push comes to shove, you want your kids to be kind, respectful, and respected by others.

Dr Jordan Peterson says you owe it to your kids to help them become people others want to be around.

I 100% agree.

My kids grew up as a television anchor’s child.

That’s not always a good thing, so we tried to keep as much separation from the limelight and real life as we could.

We get to spend quite a bit of time with Jess here in Montana.

I always feel safe when he’s hiking with us, locked and loaded, in case a grizzly comes on the scene.

I’m so proud of the man Jess is.

He’s got a pretty good balance of raw emotion and reservation.

The reservation comes from his mom.

When I introduce him to people, his eyes light up, a giant smile swallows his face, and he shows a true interest in the person and the story they are about to share.

My son is my storyteller.

He always pays attention to the lives of others, not out of judgment, but a true desire to understand them.

We used to call him the “Town Crier”.

He knew everything that was going on in Camp Creek.

A chip off the old block, I guess.

I think that is our connection.

Our love of people, real people, often the ones who don’t fit in.

The craziness of life, the thrill of doing something others are afraid to do, is what makes us come alive.

He gets that from his mother, too.

Happy Birthday, Jess.