My son, my Teacher

Hey Andre,

Prior to you being born into this world, I applied for a job I wasn’t ready for. It was sometime March of that year and the position was fatherhood. With zero experience, the only credentials that I offered were: the live-in 'seminars' with my own father - the audio of which came through one ear and out the other; and, special skills - Integral Calculus and dancing (I lied hoping it would help).

The processing took 9 whole months. It was equally exciting and daunting at the same measure not knowing what to do next after your arrival. 

Who will tell me if? 

What goes with which? 

Do I smell it to be sure? Where?

When the call came, telling me my fatherhood has been approved, I saw you literally come out of your mother’s tummy. Then, just then, "Bloody heck! You’re so bloody!" I couldn’t help telling myself while holding the camera.

But it all became clear to me. That day, I knew: nobody else will teach me how to be a father but you.

You taught me that a baby smile is a priceless relief from a hard day’s work.

You taught me that a smirk could either mean a poop or a fart and that I need to summon all my senses for the answer. 

You taught me a cry is call for a cuddle or comfort or food.

I learned to make better of good things like coffee and Excel.

And what mattered most, you taught me to be the best that I can be.

And you know what? I’d like to think that I was an excellent student. Because I became a father the second time around, nearly two years after. I merited a B+ to say the least.

I am still learning, though. But at 61, I don’t think a third-time fatherhood is a prospect. Being a dad -it just doesn’t end, does it? You still have to teach me how to pull that perfect shot without accidentally burning my arm. And how does that down-swing, follow thru work again?

Teach me, master Andre. I’d like to learn more from you. 

Happy 25th birthday, buddy! You know I love you.

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Inspirations: Happy Anniversary XXVI Edition

Rissa dear,

We do not have a theme song as a couple, or do we? I might have forgotten -just one of the things 26 years of blissful marriage can do to you. But to me, it doesn’t make any sense having one because our life is a song. When inside an elevator with piped-in music, sipping our coffee or in a hotel lobby listening to the piano man or driving with the radio on, we hear our songs played. You and I, we have that x2 factor that songwriters need to broaden their sphere of imagination and inspiration to write words we hear in songs such as:

Don Mclean

And I love you so

The people ask me how

How I've lived till now

I tell them "I don't know"

And you love me too

Your thoughts are just for me

You set my spirit free

I'm happy that you do

James Taylor

I close my eyes at night

Wondering where would I be without you in my life

Everything I did was just a bore

Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before

But you brighten up for me all of my days

With a love so sweet in so many ways

How sweet it is to be loved by you, it's just like sugar sometimes

Jason Mraz

And through timeless words in priceless pictures

We'll fly like birds not of this earth

And tides they turn and hearts disfigure

But that's no concern when we're wounded together

And we tore our dresses and stained our shirts

But it's nice today, oh the wait was so worth it

Kenny Loggins

For the first time I am looking in your eyes

For the first time I'm seein' who you are

I can't believe how much I see

When you're lookin' back at me

Now I understand what love is, love is

For the first time

Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager

When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do

Is take a look at you, then I'm not so blue

When you're close to me, I can feel your heart beat

I can hear you breathing near my ear

Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me got a groovy kind of love

Steven Curtis Chapman

I will be true to the promise I have made

To you and to the One who gave you to me

I I will be here

And just as sure as seasons are made for change

Our lifetime's are made for years

So, I I will be here we'll be together

I will be here

Ed Sheeran (he really read my mind when he wrote "Perfect")

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, we're listenin' to our favorite song

I have faith in what I see

Now I know I have met an angel in person

And she looks perfect

No, I don't deserve this

You look perfect tonight

What will these guys write without us? Sad, sad songs. 

If we got a dime for every inspiration that these guys took from us, we’d be rich because everyday is just full of it -unli source of inspiration. But listening to their songs in my playlist is good enough royalty for me.

Happy anniversary, dear!

Here’s to more years of inspirations, more additions to my playlist. Yep, those are beer bottles!

We thank God for this 26th edition of this family. There's more to come.

I love you. You know the drill. 

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