Van Today

Cousin Van is Papa V's and Mama T's son. I was in high school the first time I met him. He was a toddler. He copied everything Papa V did, he danced to every song Mama T played, and Mama T caught it all on video. Today, he cringes when he sees those videos. He's embarrassed to see this little boy who danced, strummed his guitar, and mimicked every little thing his Pa and big cousins did. This little boy that everyone doted on, kissed, hugged, cooed at, and just plain old babied.

Today Cousin Van asked me to braid his hair like the UFC fighter's, Urija Faber.

Because today Cousin Van is into boxing. Thus the braids like Urija's, maybe?

Today Cousin Van is also an avid free runner. I call it jump running because that is exactly what it looks like. Like Jackie Chan running right into a jump onto a platform ten feet from the ground. It's so graceful. See for yourself. THIS is Cousin Van's group of friends free running.

It's been more than twenty years since Cousin Van was swaying his tiny hips to La Bamba. Look at him now, all grown up, with dreams and aspirations, and having a grand old time in between.

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