Well kid you're one. I wasn't sure what to make of you son. When Ana was born, I was scared of having a kid but not of having a daughter. Girls, I thought, won't expect me to be a man in all those traditional ways; throw baseballs, fight, burp and fart loudly. All of these things I can do . . . badly. Now that your sister is five though, and her personality has shone through, I have learned that girls can be every bit as tough and rugged and gassy as any boy. So to you I say, BRING IT!
You are an awesome little dude. Your first word was ball and your second word, another single syllable B word, was boat (hmmm, perhaps you just pick up on b words easily). I can not believe how longingly I look towards our future with boats, drones, trains, personal electronic devices, Lego Mindstorms, and bad sci-fi while your mom and sister do each others hair. You have such a hard head, both figuratively and literally. You plow through whatever might be in your way, bang your head three times without flinching, and plop that piece of whatever it is right in your mouth. You were a St. Bernard in a past life, all happiness and body and drool.
I was nervous about having you son, apprehensive because I never had a steady male figure in my youth, afraid I didn't know the rules to manhood. I joined the Army, managed a bar, jumped out of a plane, and still found myself lacking. But when you popped into the world, quietly, looking around the room as if every light fixture, every voice, every sensation from any source was something to behold and capture and experience, as if each piece of it were a mystery to be contemplated, understood, and enjoyed, I figured out the rules. The rules are, there are no rules, that the goal was a mirage, and there is no 'manhood'. There is just you and your family and who we are as individuals and a group. The only rule to you being happy is being who you feel most comfortable being. And whatever that is, for both you and your sister, I will love you both beyond the stars.
There is just you and I, in the backyard, with plastic light sabers. Me being nervous about your sisters first date and not knowing Brazilian Cage Fighting while you look on, amused. Dogs, we will have at least two more dogs (contrary to your mother's ideas) before you leave for college or trade school or Starfleet Academy because every boy needs a dog and they are everything a person should emulate. Finally, top of the line gaming consoles, because you are the excuse I will use to purchase them and play God of War II, III, IV, etc..
I look forward to spending time with you, not to rediscover my youth, but to be there to share whatever I can about whatever you find interesting and make sure you grow as tall and full as you can. Always follow your heart, don't compromise on this! Ever! No happiness will come from accomplishments you care nothing about. No matter how much you earn, money will never be enough to buy back your dreams (although money should be a part of the equation :-). Finally, the most important lesson I can impart upon you - just showing up is 80% of success (although I can't stand Woody Allen).
I love you Isaac.
P.S. Please be a Scientist.
I reserve the right to completely ignore this post or anything I have ever said or done if you do something completely insane and/or hardheaded as an adolescent and find something here to throw back at me.
