Current mood:

accomplished

A Father means so many things... an understanding heart, a source of strength and of support right from the very start. A constant readiness to help in a kind and thoughtful way. With encouragement and forgiveness no matter what comes your way. A special generosity and always affection, too. A Father means so many things when he's a man like you...

Full Name; James Oliver Bragg-Spencers
Nicknames; Jobs, Jimmy, Braggs
Age & DOB; 44 & October 12, 1965
Birth Place; Irvington, NY
Parents; Edward Jr. & Emily
Siblings; Nathan (42), Edward III (40), Sueann(36)
Relationship; Married but Separated. Sharon Bragg-Spencer.
Children; Michael James (24) Matthew Andrew (22)
Career; Butcher, Deli-Owner
Height; 6'1"
Eye Color; Brown
Hair Color; Brown
Defining Marks; Two Tattoos on inner arms. Both Japanese meaning "Soul" & "Destiny"
First Impression; Playful, In Charge, Happy-Go-Lucky.
Behaviors; James is usually a very down to earth good loving guy. He's a flirt by nature so if you're a female you can be sure to get a smile, a wink, and a compliment anytime you see him. He's the nice guy, the guy who you didn't hate for being popular in school. He's always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it. But he also believes in order. If you say you're going to do something then do it. He'll correct anyone who's wrong when they're wrong. He tends to speak his mind freely and doesn't apologize if it offends anyone. He doesn't do this to be rude, he just believes his honesty will get him farther then lies and deceit.

James has been obsessed with sports since a kid. He played football in high school and was pretty good actually. He still likes to get his boys out in the yard and toss the pig skin. He even does it now with the neighborhood kids since his kids are all grown up. He also is a faithful watcher of the Giants. When its game day you will find the TV on in the deli or the radio with the game playing.

James also is an avid outdoors man. He's been camping since he was a kid and has forced his kids to learn how to too. He doesn't always use tents, he's fine backpacking it. He likes nature and because of this he built a fire pit in his backyard several years ago. He also likes bar-be-ques and tends to throw one every other week during the summer. When the weather is nice, if James isn't at work, he's outside. Simple as that.
History; James is the eldest child of Edward Jr. and Emily Bragg-Spencers. He was born in the usual fashion in the sense that his parents married, started a home together, and then started popping out kids. He had a good childhood though because of this. His father owned a hardware store and James learned the meaning of hard work from a young age by having to spend most of his time there. He learned a passion for cooking from his mother. He was always the responsible one, often babysitting his siblings when he hit his teen years. His childhood was a happy one, one filled with a big loving family where cousins were like siblings, aunts & uncles were like another set of parents, and great aunts & uncles were another set of grandparents. He still can remember holidays being these big events with the whole family at his Grandma's house. He can remember playing football every holiday with his siblings and cousins, remember helping his grandma out by moving furniture so their was room for everyone in the basement. James was the good kid, the polite boy who did as told and never really got into too much trouble.

In high school James was the popular guy that most didn't hate for being popular. He got along well with others, always had a joke to share, and tried to be nice pretty much to everyone. It was in his Junior year that he met his now wife Sharon. She was a beautiful blond who was one of the sweetest girls he had ever seen. She didn't like him at first though, perhaps she was intimidated by his bravado. Either way it took James a long time to talk her into dating him but once she did, it paid off. The two became inseparable and the couple that everyone models their relationship ever. James was a gentlemen to her, always opening up doors and bringing her flowers randomly just cause he felt the desire to. When they graduated he proposed. Best day of his life came when she accepted. She finally gave it up.

The two were married two years later due to the fact that both thought it was important to have a nest egg first. James went to work in the hardware and went to school to become a butcher while Sharon worked odd and end jobs from being a waitress to babysitting. They saved and they scrimped but eventually bought a house and then started their own business, a small Deli. They were married in the fall of 1984 only to have their first son Michael in June.

Being a father was the high point of James' youth. He was in love and obsessed with his son the moment he was born. Unlike his friends, James was the type of father who got up in the middle of the night with James when he cried. He would often cuddle his son and feed him, tell him stories about his own youth until the boy fell back asleep. He had void to his son to always be there for him, to teach him everything he knew about girls, sports, camping, and being a good decent person. Two years later James' life was blessed again with the birth of his son Matthew. Like with Michael, James was an overly involved father who doted on his children immensely. Whatever his children wanted that he could afford and that was within reason he made sure his two boys had. He was proud of the fact the two grew up as friends, that they didn't fight often and could instead usually be found playing together and causing regular boy mischief together.

James was sure he had been a good father and lived a good life up until the day Michael was about 18 and he came to him with news of a drug problem. Now in truth yes, James wasn't completely unaware that something had been up with his son but he had written most of it off as teen angst. He had been deeply hurt by his sons revelation, his pain more so for his lacking judgment in the matter then his sons actions. How could he have not noticed? How could he have not seen the changes were more serious? He isn't sure he can ever forgive himself for how he failed his son. He did however spend Micheal's college fun on a rehab facility for the boy, not minding paying for it. He wanted to see his son ok, see his son clean. He still only hopes that one day Michael will forgive him for his mistakes.

In the last year Micheal's life has changed a lot however. With the boys grown up and moved out, it became clear to him and his wife that they were not so much in love anymore. They fought more without the boys in the house and found themselves having to force more interactions together. The friendship was still there, Sharon would forever be a huge part of his life but the love had somehow managed to fade. The two decided to try a trial separation to see if it was over for good or not. Neither of them has hard feelings though admittedly the house feels rather empty and big without her and the kids there. How did his life take this course? He had always believed marriage was forever but was his? Would this happy family man soon be a middle-aged bachelor? Did his old fashion notions really not hold up?

# OF FACTS#01; James believes in hard work and honesty. Some would say he has a very 50's mentality about family and core ethics but he isn't ashamed of that. Family comes first for him, doing the right thing doesn't always have to be the easiest choice but it's what he'll do. He doesn't see that changing ever.
#02; If it wasn't for Sharon's begging, James probably would have joined the military when he was eighteen. Serving his country was always a dream of his when he was a kid. It was the all-American way he was raised.
#03; The saddest day ever in James' life had to be when his grandmother passed. He can still remember sobbing and having his two sons there, neither over the age of eight, looking at him confused. He's happy that she got to meet his family though.
#04; Most expect James to be a religious individual but in all honesty, he isn't. He hates church and only attended when the boys were younger to set a good example.
#05; Poison of choice is a cold Genny from here to here. He doesn't drink unless being social however. He doesn't tend to keep liquor in the house. He's fine with a bottle of water or a glass of milk.
#06; White-hots are the best meat product ever. He hates that he has to special order them from zweigles most of the time but he lives off them. He could eat a white-hot hot dog daily if allowed.
#07; Dislikes coffee, prefers tea. He blames his grandmother for this.
#08; Lives for holidays. Thanks giving, Christmas, Easter, Forth of July, Etc. He always decorates, always throws a big bash, always takes it just a little too far.
#09; Doesn't like to raise his voice but will when necessary. He is the person who will only ask once. He doesn't like to be lied to or taken advantage of. He's a little unforgiving about that too.
#10; Can't wait to have grand-kids to spoil. Doesn't mind the idea of being a young Grandpa. Has been asking Matthew since he turned 18 when is he going to meet a nice girl and settle down.
#11; Makes the best tuna fish subs in town. His secret? Lots of mayonnaise and celery salt.
#12; Has a garden in the back yard near the garage. It's small but he likes to work in it, finding it soothing for when he's stressed. He also has several potted plants growing through-out the house. He feels best when with nature.
#13; Always is quick with a lame joke. Tends to whistle "Ladies night" while working a lot. Still can not figure out texting to save his life.
#14; Hates his computer. Feels technology is pointless and yet he owns a big screen flat screen TV, has the whole room wired for surround sound, and loves to watch action movies almost every night. Huh, go figure.
#15; Loves animals. Has a cat named Felix and a dog named Begger. The dog was originally for the boys but it became clear that he was dad's quickly off. Begger is a chocolate lab who can usually be found following him around. He's old, loves kids, and doesn't accept leashes.