23 January 2011

attempting a supportive email to a daughter who is a bit at a loss

My dearest,
while I was pottering around today and cycled along the river I was thinking of your mail and a few bits came up.
This will read a bit like a string of platitudes, sugary calendar wisdom, but here it goes:
Don't feel too driven to do something "useful". If you cannot think of doing something "good" at least don't hurt anybody or anything - and that's quite a task in itself. Striving for happiness is a killer, waiting is the skill.  It's day to day that matters. Living a day being careful and attentive and kind and honest. To yourself and those you encounter.

Write things down, always. And read it eventually.

And remember:
With unfailing kindness, your life always presents what you need to learn. Whether you stay home or work or whatever, the next chapter is going to pop right up.

3 comments:

  1. Hello S. It has been a while since I last visited here and I'm glad to do so today. I had been trying to work on a funding report and feeling a bit lost myself. Earlier I was cleaning my inbox and came across P's love letter last August. Broke down again, remembering that she wrote me a terse email to end the relationship 5 months after.

    So it is with such a tenderness that I read this email you sent your daughter. Yes, it is the day to day that matters.

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  2. Good to be reminded of these things now. Herzlichen Dank!

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