Looking Glass

Dear Daughter,

There is a saying in life about a glass of water and how people will view it differently. If the glass contains one half of its potential amount, it is said that there are two ways to look at it.

Some, those whom people call "pessimists" will say that the glass is half empty, because they focus on what they don't have, not what they do.

Others, those called "optimists" will say that the glass is half full, because they focus on the fact that although you may not have everything, you still have some left. Or, that something is better than nothing.

However, I like to look at it a third way, as Papa often does, and to look at the pretty glass and be grateful that I have one at all.

Remember, there are many ways to look at things in the world, we can choose how we will do so, and that can change everything.

I Love You,
Papa

Viewing Time and Space Through the Looking Glass

Dear Daughter,

Papa came back from his short trip to London and brought you some booty from across the Channel. We checked them out last evening and already put them to use.

I had forgotten that I did not have stuff for your lunch for school, so we had to walk over to the store to get things, so, we got to use your new Compass to help figure out which direction we were going.

And, you were able to use your new Magnifying Glass to read the letters indicating that we were going SE or SouthEast.

And, then, after making a card for your friend and looking at the other things Papa brought back from London, I told you that it was Time to go to bed, and showed you on your Pocket Watch, (since you can never keep your hands of Papa's fancy pocket watch) so you can now begin to tell Time as well, which you also looked at with your Magnifying Glass.

I hope you enjoy learning all about Time and Space with these things and as you already do, to look closer at the world around you.

I Love You,
Papa

Take The Long Way Home

Dear Daughter,

As you are well aware, your Papa is a bit odd.

Today you asked me why we were going yet a different way home from school on the bike. Good question.

Papa told you that it is good to take different ways, even if you are going to and from the same place because you can always see something new, and you are aware of the journey. Today, Papa walked the bike the whole way while you sat on the back and we talked the entire trip home. So, sometimes it is also good to walk, even when you can ride.

Besides, we walked by the movie store and you got to get a movie and some ice cream for us to share when we got back to the English House, so, it was worth taking a different way today.

I Love you,

Papa

Perspectives

While walking to the Plaza yesterday in Santa Fe, you picked up a small branch that made a perfect "y-shape" and asked me what letter it was. Trying to be funny, I said, "Why should I guess?" To which you groaned, and gave me a "Not again, Papa..." look. I then told you about diving rods and that it would be a great stick for that, which then Sean also said when he saw the branch. Then, his daughter saw it and said you could make a good slingshot from it. From that one branch then, we had three different possibilities. Always see the potential in something ordinary, or, at least from a new perspective to enrich your life.