A Flower Given to My Daughter

Dear Daughter,

Papa is reminded of James Joyce this weekend because it was Bloomsday, something Papa will explain later when you are older.

James Joyce was an Irish writer who loved languages and inventing new words and puzzles with words. He lived in Belgium for a short while and called Antwerp "Gnatwerp" because of all the muggen, something you also don't like here because they bite you at night.

He also had a daughter, Lucia, whom he loved very much and wrote her this poem that I wanted to share with you.

It is called, "A Flower Given to My Daughter." I have tried to provide you with flowers of various kinds over the years, and you gave me the most beautiful one the other day from the vine outside.

Here is the poem.


Frail the white rose and frail are
Her hands that gave
Whose soul is sere and paler
Than time's wan wave.

Rosefrail and fair -- yet frailest
A wonder wild
In gentle eyes thou veilest,
My blueveined child. 


Always keep your wonder wild and eyes gentle to the Beauty of life.

I Love You,
Papa

A Very Different Cathedral

Dear Daughter,
Papa walked into town today and went to see the very, very old Temple here in the middle of center, just like there is the one we went to in Antwerp the last day I was there, but this one is very different. It is a large Hindu temple dedicated to a goddess named, Meenaskhi, which means "fish-eyed" in Sanskrit. She was one of Shiva's consorts, and he is a very important God here in India who is said to have created the universe just by dancing! What do you think about that?

There are four temples around a large courtyard, but Papa did not go in today yet as there was not enough time today. Outside the temple, all of the little girls had their hair braided with very sweet-smelling flowers in their hair, and they wore jingling-jangling bangles on their ankles. And, in order to go into the temple, you have to take of your shoes, so everyone was barefoot too.
I love you. Papa

It Ain't Easy Being Five (Sometimes), and that's OK

Last evening at dinner, you had a bit of a rough time while waiting for the food at the restaurant. Lots of excitement in the afternoon with new faces and friends and all at dinner too, and then being hungry and tired. So, you got a bit upset. Sometimes we get upset when we are tired and hungry and not sure why, especially when we are just five. Papa and you went outside and sat and after a while, we sniffed the flowers that give you kisses on your nose. You liked the white ones the best and I liked the indigo ones. Soon, you were giggling again and all was well when the food arrived.