A Simple Lesson in Relativity

Dear Daughter,

Well, today we went to the dentist to have a cavity filled, and you were super. I was very proud of you and the dentist was too.

They had to numb your gum/cheek in order to fill the cavity, and the dentist told us that you could not eat for a while for fear of biting your cheek since you could not feel it.

As we were walking to the car, you asked me how long "a while" is and I said maybe a couple of hours. Within five minutes, you asked if your tooth was "still asleep," and I said, yes, it will still be a while.

It is hard to wait when something is so strange like your cheek being numb. You were not able to make a "Puh" or "Fuh" sound and that "while" seemed like it would never come. But, eventually, the numbness will go away, but it may seem like a lot longer than it actually is.

So, today, again, you learned a lesson in the Relativity of how Time "feels" to go slower when you are waiting.

I Love You,
Papa

Playing with Stones

Dear Daughter,

Papa recently found some really cool stores in Antwerp that we can go to that have lots of gemstones, just like the ones the Dale has in Amarillo and like the ones that we got in New Mexico!

Papa did not know about these stores, but luckily his friend did, so now we can go too. You will really like to see all of the amazing colors and sizes and types of stones. I bet you remember some of them too from Dale's collection.

Also, it taught Papa to always keep his eyes open when walking through the streets of a city because you never know what you might find when you look around.

I know you do, but sometimes Papa has to be reminded.

I Love You,
Papa

PS Don't worry, Papa got you something from one of the stores.

The White Trees

Dear Daughter,

So, we are back in Belgium after a nice visit to Texas and New Mexico to see friends and family. When we left, at bedtime, Papa was still telling you about the Autumn Fairies and how their work was almost done. They had painted all the leaves, pulled them off and rode them down to the ground like magic carpets. Then, at night, they had jumped and danced on the leaves, breaking them down into little pieces, until they became dirt and food for the trees themselves. They had made sure that all the animals who needed to hibernate had places to go, telling the birds and butterflies which direction to go, and cleaning out those nasty bear caves, because bears can be rather messy. And, all the other things we talked about the Autumn Fairies had to do to get ready for the Winter Fairies.

And, guess what? When we got back to Belgium, Winter was here! When we were going to school the other day, you were so excited to see the White Trees! They were beautiful. Just a month ago, those trees were golden, red, yellow, and even mauve, but now, they were coated in white.

So, looks like the Winter Fairies have been busy since we got back.

I Love You,

Papa 

Taking Your Time

Dear Daughter,

This Wednesday you and Papa went to Middelheim, the outdoor sculpture "museum" with all kinds of sculptures spread throughout the park.

We went there to have a picnic lunch and it was a beautiful day. The leaves looked like they were almost on fire and the sky was super blue.

After eating lunch we walked around with Papa's camera and you took a few pictures of your own. I was so impressed with how you took your Time to really frame each picture and did such a great job.

It's important to take you time and to do something right, rather than just rush through it and miss the moment. Thank you for helping me share that slowing down of Time as you took these pictures, being so careful to "get it right."

Not too shabby for a six-year old...

I Love You,
Papa

Connections Across the Ocean

Dear Daughter,

Your Mama told me that you went to Paris and to the Efteling this week with her for your fall break. I am so happy for you.

Paris is such a special place and I know that you got to learn all about the Eiffel Tower and got to see it from your hotel!

Papa is in the US now, but will soon be home. However, something that you want to see here is the Statue of Liberty in New York City. And, guess what? It was a gift from France to declare the possibility of being in a new country with new-found freedoms and opportunities.

So, we will go to the Statue of Liberty someday and then you can then think about how across the Ocean there stands the Eiffel Tower as a symbol of ingenuity and co-operation as well.

I am so happy that you got to go to the Efteling with your friends, it is a very special place and Papa will take you there again when I am back in Belgium.

Papa loves you so much.

I Love You,

Papa

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