Published in The Memoirist·PinnedMember-onlyPhotographs and MemoriesIt started with an email from Spain. My cousin Soledad’s daughter, Marta, was working on a school project on expatriates and she needed my help. Her grandfather, who was my Tio Francisco, and my dad, spent parts of the 1940s and 50s working on freighters and merchant ships. Tio Francisco…Memoir5 min readMemoir5 min read
Published in Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs·Dec 15, 2022Member-onlyThe Quest for the Perfect Family Christmas CardIt’s almost Christmas, making it a perfect time to talk about holiday traditions. Last week my wife and I took our son Cristian to see Santa, which led to an annual rite of futility, our family Christmas cards. When I was single, Christmas cards were easy — I didn’t send…Humor4 min readHumor4 min read
Published in The Press Box·Oct 6, 2022Member-onlyWho’s Ready For Playoff Baseball?It’s early October. The dog days of Summer came and went. Baseball fans watched Aaron Judge chase Roger Maris, Albert Pujols chase Babe Ruth on his retirement tour, and the Atlanta Braves chase the New York Mets in the NL East. MLB teams must be built for the long haul…Baseball2 min readBaseball2 min read
Published in The Memoirist·Sep 24, 2022Member-onlyAm I The Only One With Sore Nipples? — A Dad’s Guide to Mommy and Me ClassWhen my son turned two, my better half and I discussed enrolling the baby in a Mommy and Me class. Since her background is in child development when she made the suggestion, I listened. We agreed he needed to spend more time playing with kids his age. Since my wife…Humor3 min readHumor3 min read
Published in Crow’s Feet·Sep 7, 2022Member-onlyAnd Now the End is Near — Caring for Aging Parents Isn’t for the Faint of HeartThere comes a time when you switch roles with your parents. The role reversal sneaks up on you — one day Mom and Dad are attending your high school graduation, and the next you’re scheduling their doctors’ appointments. When my parents reached their 70s, my brother and I agreed that…Aging4 min readAging4 min read
Published in The Memoirist·Aug 14, 2022Member-onlyBecause You Can’t Flush A Cocker Spaniel — What To Do When Your Child Wants A PetIn my last post, I wrote about my family history and memories. Seven years of parenthood have given me both. My son Cristian always loved animals. When he was a toddler, my wife, Esther, signed us up for a family pass to a series of zoos and aquariums. When the…Memoir4 min readMemoir4 min read
Published in QuickTalk·Jul 27, 2022Member-only15 Things I Don't Like — Rants From An Old BoomerI'm late to the party, but what else is new. I'm new(ish) to Medium, and like many, I need good writing prompts to stir my creative juices every now and then. I've always had a cranky streak. In my twenties, a friend said, "I had the personality of a cranky…Humor8 min readHumor8 min read
Published in Crow’s Feet·Jul 14, 2022Member-onlyOne and Done — The Concerns of A 50-Something Parent for His Only Child.A few years ago, my family participated in a charity walk — we do a lot of them. Before becoming parents, my wife Esther and I ran, rode, or walked for many causes and charities. …Parenting3 min readParenting3 min read
Published in Age of Awareness·Jul 8, 2022Member-onlyHe Doesn’t Look Autistic — Sometimes First Impressions Don’t Tell The Entire StoryThis is Cristian. He’s seven years old, loves to read books, and play soccer, and he’s a yellow belt in karate. He’s also autistic. People constantly tell my wife Esther and me, “he doesn’t look autistic.” Those meeting him for the first time see an energetic child with an amazing…Autism3 min readAutism3 min read
Published in The Haven·Apr 8, 2022Member-onlyThe Shop Teacher’s Guide to Childbirth — A Step-By-Step Guide From A Father’s Perspective.You’re in the twilight of your pregnancy, surviving Lamaze classes, the baby shower, and pregnancy hormones so intense they make a rectal exam from a longshoreman seem enviable. Just one thing remains — having the baby. If you thought the past forty weeks were rough — just wait. …Humor5 min readHumor5 min read