If I ruled the world...

Cell phones would only have one ringtone option...vibrate. Maybe it’s because I’m a no frills kinda guy that I just don’t feel the need to have my phone start rappin’ every time I get a call.

While all of the other children...

...in your class screamed, kicked, and cried in protest of the school's idea of celebrating St. Patrick's day, you were the only one who just sat there and laughed along with everyone else. It was almost as if you were performing for your audience.

This is why I call you Willy Smiles.

I hope that sense of humor, and more importantly, the ability to laugh at yourself stays as you grow older. It will get you through some tough times.

When your mother and I…

...first started dating I would always ask her to translate the various Latin love songs she listened to so I could appreciate her love for the music. In turn, she could be found on a Friday asking if she could come with me to see whatever Hip Hop artist was in town that weekend.

But honeymoons only last for so long. Then you start to see things for what they are.

Because even though she’s stood by my side at countless shows, had beer spilled on her newly purchased shoes, and dealt with over-aggressive dudes hitting on her anytime I went to visit the bartender or bathroom she cannot hide the fact that she doesn’t really like Hip Hop. I realized this when we were in the car and “Supersonic” came on.

And even though I sat for hours in my car, having tales of love and loss translated, and said things like, “Oh, that’s deep.” or “Man, he really must love her” I cannot hide the fact the only song I ever catch myself singing is Feliz Naviad and I’d rather listen to financial talk radio than listen to that Donnie Sanchez Suavo cd again.

It makes for interesting road trips.

So, this past Easter Sunday I went to drop you and your mother off at the church before I went to work. She takes the holiday seriously as she entered the car looking like we were going on our first date all over again. In fact it made me think, “Oh, yeah…I forgot about that.” And you were wearing a little blue buttoned shirt with jeans that she had purchased for you specifically for this day. You looked like a little intern who was trying to make a good impression on his first day at a law firm. I couldn’t help but chuckle as your mother buckled you in your car seat and asked, “What are you listening to?”

"Guess", I said as the singer proclaimed his faith.

“I don’t know. Is that reggae?”

“Kinda, it was a little before reggae.”

“Is that Bob Marley?”

“Yup, very early Bob Marley. This was before his reggae movement. He did everything from Do-Wop to gospel. You should’ve seen these young pictures of him in a 50’s suit without dreds. I think he was on American Bandstand or something. He could have passed for Little Richard.”

“Why are you listening to it now?”

“Well, it’s early and seeing how it’s Easter and all I didn’t want to roll up on the church blasting G Rap or something like that. I happened to just have it in my CD case and thought I hadn’t heard it in a while.”

“Oh, I see.”, she replied and wrapped her arm around mine as I pulled away from her building.

A week later I get a call at work. It was your mother. She wanted to remind me to bring the Bob Marley cd that night. I was a little surprised, but I agreed, then hung up the phone.

There just might be hope for us yet.