Japheth Benfield

I was hatched to human parents in the virginal waters of Genesee County, Michigan, and escaped from childhood with minor injuries and major introversion. Mankind’s inability to pronounce my name led to my adoption of “Jay” in hopes of making roll call in school less terrible. It didn’t work. In fact, all of my attempts at invisibility failed miserably. Even my genetics betrayed me – my gangly frame resulted in extra-visibility.

Music, guitar, and D&D were a balm for the moody despair that glommed my awkward teenage soul. What wasn’t remedied by Dr. Dre, minor pentatonics, and slaying kobolds, I satisfied through an unwavering devotion to shenanigans and general purpose dumbassery. My acute wisdom deficiency led to gigantic and unexpected life changes. I was married soon after high school and had a baby. (I wouldn’t recommend doing this. Seriously, 0/5 stars).

I found myself in a deep-dark hole of my own digging, surrounded by uncertainty, chaos, and lack, and thrust into the roles of husband, dad, and provider. I had no clue what I was doing but I was determined not to fail my family. It was during this challenging time that I turned to God. My faith migrated from head to heart like a drunken goose in a headwind. Once in my spiritual circulatory system, that gooey crystalline substance was torched and converted to positive action and growth. (Those are some weird metaphors, but I’m going to let them lie.)

Fast-forwarding through thirty years of life: I divorced, remarried, and today have six awesome kids – four of whom can no longer be called kids, and five of whom like me at any given time (not bad, right?). I write a lot, play lead guitar in a band you’ve never heard of, improvise stories powered by funny dice, and strive for nonfailure in all things.