I realize that 40 years have passed...

It seems like yesterday that we were all walking through the halls of Mountain Lakes High School. And then, as I turn around and see my children and grandchildren, I realize that 40 years have passed. I look in the mirror and see a few gray hairs and laughter lines that are supposed to give my face character and it makes me smile inside because I still feel like I am the 16 year old you all met in 1963…

The road traveled has thrown me a few unexpected curves, but as I cruise into my late fifties, I am more convinced than ever that it has been a life well lived, filled with joy, a few heartaches and an abundant amount of love…

I met Vicki, the love of my life, in Mt. Lakes High School when she was 15 and I was 16. Four years later we said I DO! This coming September we will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary. We have had three children: Cristina 34, Luis Eduardo, who died of Crib Death at the age of 5 months and Verónica who made her entrance into the world just in time for Vicki's 43rd birthday. God has been extra good to us. He even blessed us with two wonderful grandsons: Noah, 8, and Sascha, who recently turned one…

After Mt. Lakes, I obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Political Sciences and a minor in Latin American Studies from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Later on I obtained a Master's degree in Education from St. Joseph's University. Our first daughter Cristina was there on graduation day to "hold" my diploma in her month-old hands. Also, I pursued postgraduate courses in Educational T.V from The Annenberg School of Communications at Temple University in Philadelphia.

As some of you might remember, my mother, Mrs. Adelaida Patiño, taught many of you Spanish. I am including a photo of my brothers and sisters with my mother on her 83rd birthday. She was, and is, a wonderful, kind and loving person.

My wife, Vicki, speaks Spanish very well, but I like to think that it is because she had me as her daily teacher. Living in Mexico and Colombia didn't hurt. Vicki is a talented artist and loves to write. But mostly, she is a great mother and grandmother, a heck of a nice person and a truly amazing wife…

I have had a most interesting and fulfilling life: I have had the opportunity to travel to 33 countries of the world, meet 43 heads of state from all over the world and many people from all walks of life.

In 1980 I helped to start Noticias del Mundo, a daily Spanish language newspaper in New York City, and in 1996, Tiempos del Mundo, a Spanish language newspaper edited in 18 Latin American countries plus the United States (New York, Miami and Washington, DC). Both papers are sister publications of The Washington Times. I was the first person hired to build Tiempos del Mundo and have served as its Publisher and Vice President of the Washington, DC edition, since 1998…

In summary, I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, three beautiful children, two incredible grandchildren, the wonderful Patiño Nieto clan as well as unbelievable jobs and travel opportunities….

I can't wait to see what the upcoming years bring. I know I will face them with renewed vigor, greater humility and profound expectation…