To my daughters

Dear Leyla & Liany,

           My name is Orlando Santiago Jr. and I am your father. Right now you are growing by leaps and bounds inside your mothers womb, according to our doctor. The purpose of this letter is an old fashioned yet effective way to send you a message through time so that the two of you can have a glimpse of the past, my present, of who your parents were. This may also serve as a reminder to your mother and I since we have no clue what type of parents we will be. We do know the kind of parents we will strive to be but as you'll no doubt learn, what you want and what you get rarely coincide with one another. Your mother and I live in a modest two bedroom condo, which she purchased while we were dating. It's a nice place, filled with laughter and love.

        When we found out we were having a baby we were over joyed but decided to keep it a secret until we knew for sure that the baby would be safe. But then something which I can only describe as, magical happened. The doctor said we were not having one healthy baby but two! Names would be an issue as many of the names I picked would be too...dramatic while the names your mother picked were decent. Your grandfather, your mother's father, was a huge fan of the boxer Mohammad Ali. So much of a fan he named one of his son's Ali. Mohammad Ali had a daughter and in honor of your Grandfather, you Leyla are named after her. Laila Ali.

          While searching for another name, your mother and I pondered for many days until Celena's mom, your Grandmother suggested Liany. We loved the name so much that there was no need for any more considerations. Thus, in honor of your grandmother, you Liany were given that name. I don't know what the future will be like or if I'll be there to enjoy it but I thought it would be fitting to at least tell you the origins to your names.

          So what was your mother like before you were born? Believe it or not she is amazing, full of life, smart, funny and has terrible habit for tickling me. But don't take it from me, by the time you read this I'm sure you'll not only know but also indulge in my torture. Right now your mom works for an agency that helps families, save their homes from banks. She also helps families obtain a new home where their children can grow. A noble profession if there ever was one.

          The world right now is not in the best of shape and for that I apologize. Every generation is responsible for creating a better world than the one they had but greed and selfishness has ultimately sent our economy into what they say is a recession but feels more like a great depression. Don't let this discourage you, as it did not discourage your mother and I. My father, your grandfather always said “Doing the right thing begins with you at the beginning of the day, everyday.” This is a man who has gifted your mother and I with words of wisdom on many occasions. So when he chooses to speak, I urge you to listen intently. Don't worry, he doesn't talk often so I assure you that boredom will not play a factor.
           My mother, Elia, your grandmother always wanted a girl and was overjoyed when she realized she wasn't getting not one but two. Your grandmother has watched the both of you many times when you were small and many of the things you have learned are credited to her. As a seamstress she has also hand sewn many of the articles of clothing you will wear, and quite possibly still wear. No matter what happens know that her love for you is as deep and vast as the ocean. 

           As for me? What was I like? That's really hard to say without sounding full of myself. I don't think my life can be put into words, but there are many people out there who I've had the privilege of helping. I'm sure they'd have far more interesting things to say about me than I. What I can tell you is that I am a passionate person who loves creativity and indulges in art, history and science. I can also tell you that your mother and I loved the both of you before you were born and that no matter what your mother and I always will.

            So before I end this...message through time I would like to give you a life lesson. Throughout life there will be those who will try and do harm to you. I beg you to do your best and turn the other cheek. Take comfort in those who go out of their way to help you and repay their kindness not in physical gifts, but in passing the kindness they gave to you onto the next person who needs it. This is how you make the world a better place, one person at a time.

          I love you ladies with all my heart.

                                    From the year 2011 to you, my beautiful girls, in the future.

                                                                                                                                          Love, Dad.