That was a lovely story, my boy. But be a dear, and make Auntie Cody another martini.
My oh my, do forgive my manners. In neglecting this journal, I've also managed to forget mentioning a MOST life-changingly important detail..... I'm the loud n' proud uncle of this bouncing ball of baby lovin'! Everyone, please welcome Kai.



Oh sure, I forget things. After all, I'm not the spry young 24 year-old of yester-yore. Nope. And with 47 days till I'm officially a quarter centenarian, I do comprehend life's cruelties.... First goes the brain, then the bowels, and before you know it, I'm baking my pants in an oven and giddy for spoon-fed bread pudding and Bunko Day. But in those quick moments where I casually remember Kai, my brightest light, I look forward to the future....and want nothing more but to get off these bed sores and pop a cork....

Here was my first gift to the kid. A poem.


This is the story of a furry, stuffed toy
And how he became friends with a cute little boy.

See, Mocha the Monkey, lived in a far off land.
A strange group of islands by the name of Japan.

While most monkeys, teeny, twittery and brown
Come from a forest, Mocha grew up in town.

It can be said, “At least twas no zoo.”
Still, Mocha was sad, everyday a bit blue.

For he had no family, no nest, nor a home.
No monkey best friend to call his own.

So he swung all alone watching all the sunsets,
From the big, gray buildings and steel minarets.

Until by luck, he met a tall man,
Who was called Cody, and HARDLY from Japan.

"Hey, Mr. Monkey," Cody said with a smile.
"Why that frown? Not been hugged in awhile?"

"Yup," he replied as tears filled his eyes.
"Nobody loves me," he squeaked amid cries.

"Yo, ya know what?" Cody patted the poor lad.
"I gotta plan – not quite perfect, yet not half-bad."

"Back home, there's a babe, only two months n' a day.
Come with me, meet him, and just say 'hey'."

"But if things go well, and you cuddle up tight,
Hug and snuggle and keep him warm at night,

"I think you could stay and be his best mate!"
"Oh yes!" Mocha yelled – he hardly could wait.

So, to Japan, Mocha waved goodbye.
Hopped in the plane to sail up high,
And flew across oceans and through the blue sky
To begin his adventures with a nephew named Kai.