A Look Back: This is what the house looked like when J and Sonja purchased it on January 3, 1977. They bought it as a fixer-upper and it was literally falling down. In 1978, J and some friends built the house that stands now. It is still a work in progress.

Our House Now >>>

About J Jackson

I, and my twin sister, were born in 1937, in Bridgeport, CT. on October 10, 1937. I also had an older sister born in 1935. My mother and father divorced when we were very young. My father took the three of us and moved to Roxbury, MA. My mother stayed in Bridgeport. My father was an abuser of women and, for some reason, loved to smack me around.

I never enjoyed school from day one because I thought there was something wrong with me. I could not read or write and my teacher would always call me an idiot. When my father found out I could not read, he sat me down in a chair, put a newspaper in my hand and said he would be back in two hours, and at that time I’d better be able to read him that newspaper. Of course, I was terrified because I knew that was impossible. When I could not read the paper, my father smacked me around again. I knew then I had to leave home. My older sister, who is now deceased, told me how to get from Roxbury to Union Station in Boston. I found out at the train station which train was going from Boston to Bridgeport, CT. I waited just until the train was pulling out of the station and I told the conductor I lost my ticket, and I had to get on the train to see my mother. As luck would have it, he let me on the train. I arrived in Bridgeport late in the evening, not having a clue where to find my mother. I found out where the projects were in Bridgeport and walked there. There was a woman on the corner of the street who asked me what I was doing out so late. I told her I was looking for my mother who I hadn’t seen in years. I gave her my mother’s name and, again, as luck would have it, she knew my mother. She took me to this little crummy apartment and when my mother opened the door and saw me, she hugged me and cried so hard it made me cry. I told her my story and she told me I would never have to go back and live with my father again.

Again, I went to school and, again, did not enjoy one day of it. Most of my dislike for school was my teacher, Mrs. Hall, who, from day one, called me dumb because I could not read or write. My mother pulled me out of school in the sixth grade and let me go to work to earn money for us. My mother was an uneducated person, an alcoholic and prostitute for as long as I can remember. But she was the most loving and kindest woman I have ever known. There was a time in our lives we were so poor, that we literally lived in an old man’s chicken coop, with dirt floors, and you could see the outside through the walls. When I was 17, I could no longer handle this life style, so I volunteered for the U.S. Army. When I took the entrance exam, I failed because I could not read or write. They told me I could try again in six months. However, one of my mother’s acquaintances was an Army recruiting sergeant. She took me to see him and explained my situation. He told me when I took the exam again, just act like I was writing things on the paper, but leave everything blank and he would take care of the rest. Of course, I passed and I was in the Army. I took my training at Fort Dix, NJ and after training, was transferred to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, HI. What a shock that was! I was in the Army from 1955 to 1957, then from 1957 to 1958 I did a year of reserve in the Marine Corps.

After leaving the service, I went back to Boston to live with my older sister, but I didn’t stay long because I had heard so many wonderful things about California. I bought a 1953 Ford and headed for California. I got as far as New York when the motor blew up. I did not want to hitchhike so I went to the train stock yard, met up with a bunch of guys who were headed to Stockton, CA to pick fruit during the summer season. They told me to do what they did and I’d be fine. I jumped on a freight train and five days later ended up in Stockton, CA. I worked in the fields with the Mexican and Filipino laborers picking fruit. After a year of that, I joined the Teamsters Union and got a job at the Stockton Grain Elevators, and worked there for nine years. During that time I got married. While in Stockton, people were always talking about Monterey, CA and how beautiful it was there. After a short time, my wife and I were divorced. I then moved to La Jolla, CA where I met my wife-to-be, whom I have now been with for 38 years.

I have had so many jobs in my life, I’ll list just a few:
Deep sea diver
Truck driver
Dishwasher
Race car driver
Drug counselor in a school district
Suicide Prevention counselor
Counselor at Aquarius House (drug rehab center)

I was the A Jazz King for 22 years at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival.

As of June 1, 2008, I celebrate being a massage therapist for women for 43 years. It has been a wonderful experience for me and am very happy that I’m able to continue. I have done massage in Europe (Germany, France, Norway, Amsterdam), as well as Canada, Mexico and many states in the U.S. I now do massage for women and only ask for a small donation to support the Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County (BVIC).

I think this gives you an idea of what an exciting life I’ve led. At age 40, I was tested at Stanford University and learned I had severe dyslexia, which was the reason I was unable to learn to read and write. I have taught myself to read quite well now, but my spelling is still pretty bad. I would like to thank all the people who have helped me on my path to where I am now.

My father and mother are now deceased. My older sister, who was a police officer, died a few years ago from pancreas cancer. My twin sister is still living in Boston. In 1993, I was diagnosed and treated for bladder cancer. In 1995, my cancer returned, but my further treatment was a success. In 2005, another tumor was found on my bladder and it was removed. It was caught in an early stage and required no treatment. My secret to beating cancer is that I am never afraid, totally believe in science, and laugh a lot.

In summary, I say when you wake up in the morning, just be happy that you woke up. You do not need to add anything to that and, remember, a bowl of vanilla ice cream has never hurt. (ha, ha)

J, twin sister, Nancy, and her son, Billy celebrate their 72nd birthday at the Hyatt Regency in Boston, MA on October 10, 2009