*Image by Kelly Turso*

So a bunch of different people from all over the world know me as… Well let me rephrase that. They know what I do professionally and subsequently, the person I’ve created out of it. Only a select few folks in my life have been invited into the illusion free/non-music industry aspects of my life. For any of you who have, you may have met my son. Some of you were among the first to get called when he was born. Some of you met him in his just beginning to walk and talk stage. And others got on board recently and got captivated at his 5 years of age and 35 years of courage, getting busy at the B-Boy BBQ or any other jams where his daddy is supplying the musical discourse. Whatever the capacity you’ve met him in, I’m sure you’ve been touched. He is just amazing. And I don’t mean to sound like a parent with an unrealistic view of how their child really is. This kid is really the shit. Point blank. I mean, he is a normal 5 year old with a video game addiction and mad energy at 12am on a school night but otherwise, he blows my mind with his intelligence and logic. Recently, me and a bunch of homies went tubing own the River in New Hope. Every single person there was an adult with the exception of him but at no point did anyone ever think, “why did they bring this annoying little kid?” I think, his presence made the day that much more fulfilling for everybody there. To see his joy for being in the water and experiencing something that like for the first time, I think, reminded all of us overworked and underpaid adults what used to be important in life. He tends to do that regularly without knowing it. Well anyway, today, he made me proud again with his courage and excitement for his first day at school. He had his uniform on ready to go before I was even fully awake and when we got to his school, other parents were having a hard time leaving their crying 5 and 6 year olds but not me. This little boy made me feel like I was a sissy on my first day of school. I was scared to death to be in a room full of strange people that didn’t resemble me or anyone from my bloodline. My little dude wanted to meet everyone and get his hands dirty right away. In fact, he couldn’t wait to get in the building and be all grown up with his markers, glue, spongebob pencils, and what not his mom bought him to make sure he gets the most out of his learning experience. I wish I could adapt that excitement for work some days. Crazy how much you can learn from someone only walking the earth for a short period of time. He’s on the right track…