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Mijo,
If you’re reading this, it means I never got to meet you. I’m sorry, I tried my hardest to hold on. Know that I love you, and that I will always love you. Remind Dad that I love him too. I’m not quite the writer like Dad, but I’ve been known to pen a heartfelt word or two (if he hasn’t let you yet, ask him to read our emails, but maybe ask him to blackout a few lines).
I don’t know how much Dad has told you, but lists are kind of my thing. I’m always leaving him lists around the house of reasons I love him, and I wanted to leave you one. I’m sorry there’s not more, I'm getting pretty tired, and I’m sorry for everything I missed. Just know that I miss you and I will always love you.
Yrs,
Papi
1) Never let your ties be boring. (I don’t care what Dad says he is wrong and his grey tie is ugly).
2) Speaking of your father, he’s always going to think he can eat spicier food than he can, so let him have some of your sprite when you order Mexican.
3) West Wing will always be the best political show. Period.
4) Aunt June is probably right.
5) If Aunt June isn’t right then Aunt Nora definitely is.
6) You should be scared of Zahara (but know when push comes to shove she’ll always defend you).
7) Empire Strikes Back is the superior Star Wars film.
8) Do not let your grandmother cook anything that isn’t barbecue, you won’t be in trouble for not eating it if she does cook something besides barbecue.
9) Stay far away from expensive cakes. Ten feet or further.
10) If you need glasses, just wear them, it’s not worth the headache to pretend you don’t need them.
11) Trust Raf and Abuelo. Endlessly.
12) There’s no problem a good run can’t solve.
13) Register to vote the day you can (unless you’re growing up in England because technically you’re not allowed to vote there)
14) Maker’s Mark will always be the superior liquor.
15) The Cowboys are America’s team.
16) Football is played with a brown pigskin, under no circumstances is soccer football.
17) Dad is going to leave dozens of copies of Pride and Prejudice laying around, read at least one.
18) No matter who you love, I will always be proud of you (unless you vote Republican and even then).
19) There’s no timeline for figuring yourself out. It’s okay if who you are changes.
20) Let your heart guide you, try not to be so in your head.
21) At the end of the day, I will always love you for who you are.