Proud Father / NEXT364

Today I’m looking forward to rehearsing with my son Gabriel again. Above is a picture of us together in our living room going through the opening of his street show.Notice in the background my blue gymnastics mat folded-up in the corner. I began training him when he was a young boy. We would unfold the mat and turn the living room into our private gymnasium where I would teach him pratfalls and acrobatics.

Gabe’s biggest struggle as a boy was learning a slow press into a handstand, which requires a tremendous amount of inner core strength. Today he blows up a whoopee cushion, then places it on a folding chair before pressing up into a handstand on the chair, and then slowly lowers himself into a seated position, releasing the satisfying sound of a Bronx Cheer.

I am a very proud father.