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

Love Is...

Dear Daughter,

There is a saying about Love that people like to quote, saying that Love is “never having to say you’re sorry.”

Well, as you know, your Papa likes to think about things and often has different views from other people, and this is no exception.

I believe, instead, that “Love is being able to say you’re sorry.”

You know how Papa always says that there are two ways to say sorry. One means that “I’m sorry that happened, but I didn’t do anything.” The other is when we have done something that hurts another and we can simply say, “I’m sorry.” Both are important in our lives, and the ability to say you’re sorry when you know that something is wrong is not a weakness, but one of the greatest strengths you can ever possess.

I Love You,

Papa

Taking Turns

Dear Daughter,

Tonight we made a wonderful drawing together.

It is always special to do something together, especially when you can work as a team. Tonight we took turns drawing and in the end, a full picture came forward from the individual pieces. Although the whole picture was nice, the details that we each added made it special.

Remember that lots of pieces go together to make a whole and it is important to not forget those pieces once the work is done.

I Love You,

Papa

The Ties that Bind

Dear Daughter,

Papa missed you this weekend.

But, as we talked about the other day, even when you and Papa are apart, there is a special Papa-Daughter bond that cannot be broken.

Always remember, that even when you are away, that Papa is always with you in your heart and that you are always with Papa.

I Love You,

Papa

My Sweet, Sweet Nothing

Dear Daughter,

And then, there are days, when it is fine just to do No-thing...

I Love You,

Papa

Eat What the People Give You

Dear Daughter,

The other day, when Papa made dinner, you said that we should "Eat what the people give you" because we had just been talking about the poor in India.

I told you that this is what the Buddha had said too.

Sometimes, when we think simple thoughts, they are the most profound.

Indeed, we should eat what the people give us. Thank you for reminding Papa.

I Love You,

Papa

Back to the Market, Nearly

Dear Daughter,

Papa is back, and is overjoyed to be together with you again.

We have already done a lot together. We have been swimming a couple of times, cooked at the English House, gone to the playground, and of course, ate sour sticks together.

We did try to go to the Market on Thursday, but they were already closing up for the day, so we ate lunch together at one of our favorite cafes. Papa missed going to the market, but sometimes we have to be patient and wait. Next week the Market will be back, and I can go while you are in school and get us our fruit, cheese, and flowers for the English House.

So, as you said when we came up to the Market, “Well, Papa, we can’t ask for anything today, they are closing up. But, we can come back next week.” Indeed, we can.

I Love You,

Papa