When Things Change, or Not

Dear Daughter,

Well, Papa has nearly finished the move from the old "English House" to the new one.

There have been many changes, yet some things have stayed the same.

Life will always present us with challenges and changes. Sometimes changes can be dramatic, other times subtle.

But, what we can learn each time is that with a change, there comes awareness. You are so aware of the changes, and Papa is just trying to do his best and to let you know of the changes as they come.

As with Kwan-Yin, who came with us and was previously in the garden, she now "sits" in our living room.

Such change is good.

I Love You,
Papa

Sympathy

Dear Daughter,

It has been a while since Papa has written for your blog, but we have spent much time together and you make Papa very proud and happy each day.

Papa received some difficult news lately about an old friend and student and has talked with several people who also knew this person who died recently.

There is something that one day you will unfortunately also have to experience, which is sympathy for others whom have lost someone they love. It is difficult, but it also provides a connection with people. From Death, new Life inevitably comes.

There is a strange connection between the two, perhaps inseparable.

You are a very compassionate, empathetic, and sympathetic person already, so I know that this will all make sense to you one day as well.

I Love You,

Papa

Change is Not Always Easy

Dear Daughter,

You have now been in your new school for a few weeks.

Changing schools is difficult, and Papa knows that very well. When he was your age he changed schools too, and it was not always easy.

However, what came of that was a big, new way of looking at things.

I met a good friend named Phillip and he had a pet Raccoon, and we painted our faces one night like the members of KISS…that is another story. I also learned how to think about things differently as you are in your new school too.

Change is not always easy, my child, but you have done amazingly well with your Change.

I Love You,

Papa

You Know When You're in Texas When...

Dear Daughter,

Papa will soon be back in Belgium again and see you soon. I can't wait to hear about your travels to Italy and France with your Belgian friends and family.

Papa was driving the other day again across Texas and had to stop at a roadside rest stop.

Here is a picture of the playground. Make sure you read the sign!!

I did not see any children playing on there this time, I wonder why?

I Love You,

Papa

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

We Are Still Not Alone

Dear Daughter,

Remember how last year you saw the three bear cubs with their mother at our cabin? This year we saw the little cubs, now yearlings, each one at at time since the mama bear had sent them all out into the wild. She was still around as well, but we did not see her, though Grandma and Dale did one morning.

Here is one of the little ones who managed to get into a bird feeder that had been there undisturbed by bears for ten years. His little brother, the runt of the three, later came and pulled it down for good, so the birdies are going to have to find another way to eat their seeds from now on!

We saw all kinds of animals again this year, and even a spotted Bambi!

I am glad that you got to see so much nature again this year.

I Love You,
Papa

When The Target is Not the Goal

Dear Daughter,

When we were up in the mountains at the cabin, we shot arrows with your new bow. Remember last year when we were here and you were too small to shoot arrows and you learned how to be a patient quiver instead?

This year you are big enough and strong enough to pull the bow by yourself.

You began to get frustrated though because the arrows were not going as far as Papa's. However, I told you that the goal was not to hit the target, but to keep practicing and learn how to shoot. One day you will be hitting the target if you practice patiently.

Each time, your arrow went a bit further and you began to be able to load the arrow and steady yourself on your own. That, indeed was the Goal.

I Love You,
Papa