Skip to main content

Dear Son, Fear and Hope


--26 Weeks Old (Before Birth) --

Dear Son, 

I write this notice in the midst of a thoughtful conundrum. See, this weekend, your mom and I watched thousands of people rally in Washington D.C. and around the world against gun violence and the fight for a change in how guns affect our lives in this country. 

I know, you're only 26 weeks into existence, and here I am punching the keys on my laptop to you about something you probably won't understand until ten years from now. But I have to - the way I've always looked at the world has always been different, and of course, with you on the way - that lens is shifting again. 

I can't help but think of the world your mother and I are bringing you into. The world can often be so beautiful as we both know it to be from our travels, and the people we've met abroad, and of course, the various cultures and ethnicities we continue to want to throw ourselves into here in New York City. Yet, it can be a vile, disgusting, and disappointing place. Especially, when us, the people, are responsible for it. 

But, yeeaaaaaah...this world does play on my mind. And it's the world you'll be calling home in just a few months. 

But after this weekend, I find myself grappling with the fear and hope of your future, and what this world will be like around you. 

Why?

Well, I think of your grandparents (my mother and father), who both came here on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement, and the discrimination they endured as immigrants. We'll soon talk about that down the road. 

And of course, there are my experiences of growing up poor, from two immigrant parents, and of course, some of the things I've seen regarding inequality, gun violence, and more. Looking forward to that as well.

And really, how, - well, at least from my side of the family for which I can speak for - has endured life from this social justice lens because of experience.  

I'm afraid, because I don't want that life for you. I don't want the discrimination experience, the stereotype anxiety, the thought of losing friends or people you know to gun violence, or, to live in a world where things such as "active shooter" drills are as common as 4th period lunch. And they already are...

I also don't want that life for myself and your mom, knowing these things are real in our world now - constantly in worry, forever in fear, hoping for your safety. 

But I do find solace in what I saw today. That this generation, and the generations to come are in fact aware and mobilized to and for the lives of the many throughout this country. That very belief in democracy, in protest, in change, and overall, in the power of standing up for what you believe in. 

I can't even begin to imagine what the history books will say about this time when you are in fact reading this, but I do hope for a better world for you - for us. Not one of gun violence, bigotry, and hate. 

I fear for your future, but in many ways, I hope you embrace it, and stand not for what is simply comfortable for you in privilege, but for what you believe is overwhelmingly the right thing. 

In all of the fear we begin to prepare ourselves for, I know your mom and I can find hope in that.

Sincerely,

Your ready-to-internalize-and-hide-more-worries Dad

Recently Read Posts

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Incredibles 2 (2018)

What is it about? The Parr family returns to take on a new mission which involves a change in family roles as well as a new villain. Who is in it? Craig T. Nelson - Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible Holly Hunter - Helen Parr/Elastagirl Sarah Powell - Violet Parr Favorite Scene: After trying to contain Jack-Jack, his constant battle with a backyard rodent opens up the family to the multitude of powers that he possesses, or even, can develop. Favorite Quote: "If you wanna get out of the hole, first you gotta put down the shovel." Review: Like many, I LOVED the original Incredibles film. And yes, I too was annoyed whenever a sequel wasn't announced. After all, there were many franchises that debuted, got a sequel, and even moved straight to release on their third installment before our lovable heroic family got their turn! But I digress... Nonetheless, it finally arrived. And if I'm being honest, The Incredibles 2 was good. It just wasn't what I wa

Dome Pondering Movie Review: We're the Millers (2013)

What is it about?  A veteran neighborhood drug dealer creates a fake family of interesting people in his neighborhood to transport a huge shipment of drugs from Mexico into the U.S. Who is in it?   Jason Sudeikis - David Clark Jennifer Aniston - Rose O'Reilly Will Poulter - Kenny Rosmore Emma Roberts - Casey Mathis

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/2/23

3 Up 1. Women's College Basketball - From the epic semi-final that was Iowa vs. South Carolina that crushed it in the ratings to today's awesome drama that was Iowa vs. LSU, women's basketball earned some much-deserved respect in the mainstream sports media. Shout out to all in today's game - loved it.  1a. Confident Women - I'm not jumping on a hot take regarding Caitlin Clark and Angela Reese. Both are super confident women who talked trash and balled. Give the women the space to do it, take it, and express it - like we do the men. Much respect to Clark and to Reese as well.  2. Wrestlemania - An amazing two nights for the WWE. Just epic storytelling and overall solidifies the greatest live event in entertainment. No one does it like the WWE.  3. Pandemic Over (?) - So, I'm not sure if anyone has officially, officially ended the pandemic - if they did, I definitely missed it. However, with the Senate voting to overturn the COVID-19 national emergency order, is

Impact No Surrender 2023 Review: "Interested in where the Product is Going"

I've fallen behind on my Impact Wrestling viewing, but honestly, that's okay. For viewership and enjoyment, yes. Not so well for posting a review for readership long after it's noteworthy or relevant. But whatevs, that's just where I am in life. Wrestling is much more fun removed from the restraints and influence of the criticism and impact (no pun intended) of the current time. That's just me. You can probably thank social media. Moving on, No Surrender 2023 continues Impact's progress into the new year. The product is still solid and consistent with a nice blend of characters and wrestlers moving in and out of the main event scene, along with a fresh batch of a resurgence of characters and occurrences. Nothing says that more than Rich Swann vs. Josh Alexander.  No Surrender was a solid event, but it does leave me extremely interested in where the product is going, or should I say planning, for 2023. I don't want to say that Alexander's title reign has