A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Analía,

You are not born yet but I wanted to write you. In less than six weeks, you will take your first breath, and then begin a journey with many other firsts. It's exciting -- life will be full of new experiences and landmarks.

Your mother and I have been preparing for your arrival for quite awhile now. Like loyal subjects preparing a visit from the princess, all arrangements are being made. You have a comfy crib waiting in our home. Car seats, diapers, and bottles are new and unused. Everything -- well, most everything -- has been bought and paid for.

Let me be the first to admit, you haven't been easy. I know, how difficult could you be when you are limited to the area of your mommy's tummy?! I should probably have your mother explain that to you in more depth. She is the one dealing with discomfort, exhaustion, and a whole host of issues that come with pregnancy.

Actually, since you haven't met us, let me introduce you to your parents. I, Chris, am your father. Imagine me saying that in a Darth Vader voice. He's a villain in a great movie that you will eventually see when you are old enough.  I don't want to give you any spoilers, but I digress. Your mother, Elizabeth, is a beautiful woman who has to put up with me. We will unconditionally love you, rear you, and provide for you (until you are 18, then you are on your own! Just kidding ;)

I'm writing to you, in part, to help you prepare for a life in this world. The people whom inhabit Earth, the planet that you will be living on, are unusual. Each person is unique with his or her own quirks and strengths. Remember to be kind to all. It's important that you treat others with respect and to expect others to treat you with respect, meaning that you need to stand up for yourself, and what you believe in.

Your mother and I look forward to seeing who you become and what you believe. We want you to be your own person, but grounded in good values. In a world full of diverse opinions, it is essential that you base your beliefs in evidence. So much junk out there relies on prejudice, ignorance, and fear. Don't succumb or be fooled by simplicity. Life is extremely complex. Embrace the unknown and always remain curious.

One thing, however, is non-negotiable. You must be a Dodgers fan. It's a family tradition, on both sides of your family. We wear blue. In fact, we bleed blue. Figuratively speaking, of course. It's just the way it is. Your mom and dad will take you to plenty of games. It will be a lot of fun, especially when you move on up from milk to Dodger dogs.

As you live your life, remember to not take things too seriously. Laugh when you can. Cry when you must. Never pass on an opportunity to see a good movie.

When you need to talk about something, anything, always know that you can speak with your parents. We may not have an answer for you, or be suitable to help, but we will always try to do what's right for you. Because we are a family and we can do it together. We love you. We can't wait to meet you.

The Power of Love in Current Cinema

Enough with the politics -- or at least for this month. One of my other passions is the cinema. The large screen, surround sound, and popcorn, with butter (but not too much lest my fingers get greasy), are all comforting. It is a mini getaway where my wife and I can enjoy each others company and forget about work, and other obligations.

So far we have seen some good movies this year, including Interstellar, Fury, and Guardians of the Galaxy. A lot of action. Even more special effects than the year before. Topics have covered time manipulation, world wars, and comic book heroes. We also recently saw Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I. It wasn't my favorite but I was touched by Philip Seymour Hoffman's last performance.

A common theme throughout a majority of the films that we have seen this year has been the capability of evil in mankind. Violence, pollution, and greed have been highlighted. Utopian societies with totalitarian leaders hungry for unlimited power is a favorite -- Divergent and Hunger Games.

There have been numerous films that are lighthearted. Do not get me wrong. Plenty of comedies and children-focused movies have graced the box office.

But of the top ten highest grossing films, eight have been about destruction. Moviegoers thirst for ruin. Godzilla grossed over 200 million. I forget how many cities were trampled upon.

Interstellar too, perhaps my favorite, was a perfect example of a world gone awry because of the actions of men. Earth was dying, because of the stewardship of humans, and the only hope to survive was Matthew McConaughey -- a resourceful astronaut and pilot. Even he was almost thwarted by a surprise actor who put his own interests ahead of the entire planet. One man nearly caused the extinction of man.

With every evil plot, there is the triumph of good men and women. Each movie that has shown great malevolence has also shown the powerful force of love. Take Interstellar, for example. The one constant motivation for the protagonist was the deep bond with his daughter. Similarly, Hunger Games, with its female protagonist, relies upon the personal affection that the character has with the other victors. The rebellion is collateral to her wanting to keep her family and friends safe.

Away from the theaters, we live in challenging times: civil war in a number of regions, Islamist terrorism in Iraq, divisive partisanship at home with biting disrespect. Film plays a part in our ability to deal with these negative stories bombarding our homes.

The movies also remind us of what is really important. Despite the wickedness in men, good will always prevail if we remember the golden rule. Strive to serve those around us no matter the cost. Be prepared to sacrifice your own interests if it will help those you love. As I sit next to my wife at the theatre, I am optimistic. The world can get ugly, but there is too much beauty in it to be afraid.