Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

by Steven P. Velasquez Oct. 7, 2011 Few people in my life know that I’ve made some changes over the recent past and fewer still know why.  Suffice it to say the reasons are personal and it matters not who’s at fault.  When it comes to human relationships and parenting, the only people that truly matter are the children and immediate family members.  A little over a week ago while my Facebook account was blowing up with literally hundreds of birthday wishes (which I truly appreciate and admit they helped me greatly while dealing with said issue), my life at home had finally burst at the seams and required drastic change.  It was time to leave.  That realization was made years ago, but for reasons economic had not yet manifested.  Now, ready or not, it had just become too much and required immediate action.  Fortunately, thank God, my parents were kind enough to open their arms and say “Come home son.” Pay no attention to the ...

By Steven P. Velasquez December 16, 2009 A Holiday story of songs, food and mucho machismo! As we approach the Christmas holiday, tales of lore are passed from generation to generation maintaining years of tradition and keeping Christianity in the mouths and hearts of the current. This story my friends, will not be one of them. Last night I attended the "Holiday" (watered down, sterile, non-denominational, non-offensive, sanitized word for CHRISTMAS) concert of my daughter Nicolette (13). She and the combined musical talents of the Nazareth, PA Middle and High School's serenaded us for an hour and a half. They sang songs from different languages, countries and religions. They incorporated musical instruments at different points and belted out some beautiful solo's as well. A proud father I was when in front of the scores of caroling teens was my most beautiful, my first born, my Nicolette singing along -- in sign language. I had only seen her perform this way on...