Happy Birthday, Dad! Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12) Benigno Virgilio Rodriguez y Suarez, my father was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico on January 31, 1930.   Had my Dad lived, he would be 89 years old today.   However, he died on July 2, 1985 of cardiac arrest due to Emphysema which included an unknown lung infection that his physician was not able to identify.   He was only 55.   My Dad always told us that he was born on Three Kings Day, January 6.   We grew up believing this until I discovered his birth registration on the Internet while working on the Rodriguez Family Tree. My Dad was not open about his family, his childhood or his feelings.   What I saw and understood as a child growing up, my Dad was not always content; he was always right and could never admit when he was wrong.   Dad struggled to be successful, he fought hard t...

Kassiquan is an attempt at creating my very own “Blog Site;” my first and only place I will “blog” and probably the last place I will “blog.”  I never “blogged” before and will probably make a few blunders along the way.  Although, come to think of it, “blogging” is similar to writing a comment or thought in an editorial for a newsletter or magazine; or what you may read in devotionals such as Our Daily Bread, The Upper Room and The Word Among Us.  In 1987 I inherited a Bible Study Ministry called, The Sunshine Corner Bible Class which included a class newsletter which members of the class who were also “pen pals” were free to submit their own writings; poetry, short stories and reflections to share with other members.  As the editor of Sunshine Corner, I would include my own reflections.  Yes, in a way I was already “blogging.” My original idea was to name my blog site, Cacique (ka-thi-ke ) which is Taino for “ chief ,” a leader of a tribe.  In the Tia...