Okay, okay, okay...

you may want to stop right now to grab a pencil and paper so that you can sketch out the timeline and family tree that is us. We are a confusing lot, I admit. But apparently I've confused everyone here with this Happy Birthday story to such an extent that this addendum is necessary to clear up my muddle. In my defense, I've started and stopped this 3 part epistle several times and though I thought I had proofread, my haste to publish outdid my editing acumen. Mea culpa.

So, this Happy Birthday story is about Pele--nickname for third son chronologically but second son that lives with us. This story is not about Chess--nickname for second son chronologically, oldest that lives with us. This story is not about our first son, James, who lives in Heaven although he is referenced as the tragedy that went before leading us to adoption. And even though he is not mentioned at all in this 3 part story, Chairman is the nickname of our fourth son chronologically but third son that lives with us.

Again, I hope you had the pencil and paper available for that last paragraph. In case you did not, here is the correct timeline:

James, born 1994, died 1996.

Chess, born 1997, adopted 1997.

Pele, born 1998, adopted 2000. (Hopefully, you can see how the error occurred here. I meant to hit a 0, but tapped a 9 instead.)

Chairman, born 2001.

Kapish? I have also updated the Happy Birthday post with a single link that explains more specifically the story of James and Chess.

These three posts about Pele are written for his reading later so I am thankful for your suggestions of clarity. In that same vein though, not every detail or question will be cleared up in my writing. Some things must be reserved for his hearing alone. If a reader has a specific question, I will try to honestly answer as far as possible without trespassing that necessary reserve.