Marlisa,

What a nice way to start a Sunday morning !
Tom & I were reading the papers and Tom came across an article on Grandpa in our little hometown newspaper . Sweet !
Our paper is the Daily Times in Salisbury, Maryland….article written by John Christoffersen from the AP>

I read the book the day it arrived (thanks) and then my husband read it.
We thoroughly enjoyed it…..and we have told everyone about it….and we anxiously await the next book
with the back story, I will be first in line to get it.

I think of the tutors who helped your Grandpa…how wonderful it must have been for them to help someone so
interested in learning to read…..and what a thrill to see his progress……and then to write his stories !!!! WOW !
I am a little jealous that I wasn’t one of his tutors.

What is the best way to keep up with you ? I see many sites on the internet….which is the most current and
accurate ? We don’t want to miss a thing.

We hope you are all well and enjoying this glorious ride.

Hugs to Grandpa,
Tom & Esther Stevenson

Here’s another heartening message:

Hi Marlisa!

I just saw an online video clip of your grandpa, and it brought tears to my eyes.  I am a teacher (past, Elementary, currently Adult English as a Second Language) and a Life Coach.  I found your grandfather’s story moving and inspirational!

I just bought four copies of his book – one for myself and three to give as gifts!  Please tell your grandpa that he has a big fan in Santa Monica, CA!

Yours truly, Paula Verbit

I just wanted to say that I am a teacher and have used your grandfather’s story as a way to inspire learning in my classroom.

I know you are very proud of him. I would be too!

God bless him, you and your families.

Kathreen Mendoza
Chaffin Junior High School
Fort Smith, Arkansas

She’s right. We are very proud of him.

We just keep getting these wonderful messages from young readers who have heard James’ story:

Hi, My Name is Ashley and I heard What Has happened to You! This is amazing for you!! Congrats!! And My BFF grace sent You a Message to! I’m hoping to see your book soon!! This i sJUST WOW To me!!!!  When i heard About This and what happened, I felt really bad and then when i got to the happy part i was So happy!!! 🙂 E-mail Me back at ashleyarizona16@yahoo.com Thanks!

                                                                    Take Care, Ashley 😉

Hi Ashley!
I’m Mr. Jim’s granddaughter, Marlisa.  Thanks for an awesome letter and, like Grace, I will help my grandfather write you back soon!  Thanks again, Marlisa

Marlisa, I think Your A Very Thoughtful Girl!! And You are VERY nice to your grandfather!!!

I think its amazing what You Have done!  Mr.Jim, You Inspire me to read more often now.

Now I think reading is the BEST! When I was younger, I didn’t like to read i just goofed off, But now, I think its’s VERY important to read! It will help you learn! 🙂 Are you 12 or somthing like that? And are you and your grandfather close??

                                                           Love, Ashley 🙂

Ashley!

Thanks so much for your kind words to me!  I loved your guess at my age, but guess what?  I am one half a century younger than Pop and he will be 100 in one year!  I am very close to my grandfather.  I was his first mate on his lobster boat for a few summers and that his how I got to know him so well.  He was always silent until the ride home and then he would open up and tell me all his stories.  I bet you would love to hear him laugh because it will make you laugh too! All my best, Marlisa

Just had to share this :

I am a 39 year old working mother of 3 boys, who just saw James’ story on NBC 30. It truly made me smile One of the most inspiring stories I have heard in a long time !! I work as a Bilingual Teachers Assistant in New Britain CT, and we deal with many literacy issues everyday. I always preach to my students that its never too late to learn and am hoping to play this video for them later this week. I just sent this info to a friend who owns a bookstore as well, so she will be ordering books to sell(one is set aside for me) !!  I have linked this story on my Facebook wall to share with all my friends, who I hope will share with all theirs, and so on…and so on…
I also have always loved to write. It has been my passion my entire life.  My dream is to write a book(poetry mostly), but I have many other stories in the works. This story was just what I needed to kick myself into gear. I have said…someday I will be published; but just don’t know where to begin ! This has given me the inspiration to get the ball rolling !! I would love to pick the brain of someone who has done so already. Any ideas, suggestions etc. would be great ! James is truly an inspiration. May God continue to guide James and bless him even more !!