July 25, 2011
My Dearest Maria,
Well you are headed back to Michigan to start 8th grade. I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed your visit to Texas this summer, and I hope you enjoyed your stay. We had a lot of good times, and as usual we had our “moments”.
I for one am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and this is my first time raising a daughter. So if I don’t do it as well as I should, the next time we visit and the next effort will no doubt be an improvement- as it should be when people and families grow together.
I have watched you grow and change over the last 1.5 years- more dramatically than in prior segments of your life. It is impressive how you are finding yourself, and I am sure the next time we see each other, you will have changed some more.
What will not change, is your good spirit, and the great heart you have for others. You are a fair person, and expect the same in return. Sometimes it doesn’t happen, and more often than not- you will find people that don’t meet your expectations. Trust and loyalty are your strongest suit, and your greatest expectation from others. Having been down the road a little longer- I can tell you that by the end of your life you will count your “true” friends on one hand. This has been my experience, and it is hard to believe at times- but trust me- it’s true.
Hannah is a true friend. I am grateful for the two of you to have each other.
So for the rest of the summer, have a great time with Hannah. Spend more time with your mom because she loves you more than anybody, and she deserves your respect. You never know when the last time you see someone is, so treat every visit with that in mind.
Maria…
I will always love you
Dad.
Unwritten Feathers 
Well said, Dad!
I have followed your diary and am about to write my own:
Hauling off to Juneau AK very early on Thursday for two weeks of (Hopefully) bear watching near Mendenhall Glacier and generally tramping around the area and maybe some whale watching etc. with my not-yet 10 year young grandson.
Just got my first digital camera, have no idea about it, but that 12+ hour flight/layover time will provide me with some incentives to learn. Of course, the young’un has his own and can probably help…:0
A diary it will be, in my German hand writing that none can read, but I shall retype it after returning. Ian will have his own book in which to write his explorations if he so chooses.
I am filled with gratitude that my kids trust me with this, one of their two most precious “possessions”. The younger one is a warm weather kid who finds “lizard benches” whenever the weather cools, so while he would like to see the area, he does not begrudge his “baby polar bear” brother this adventure. We’ll have to see how the old woman will do next year… maybe some Caribbean island and snorkeling? Now, that would be the ticket…
PS. Your article in PoliticalGates is very good! Keep going!
Wow!
I missed you . Thanks for keeping up with me- and let me know when you start publishing or you need any tips re-blogging?
What do you think of the CircuitSurfers.com thing? It has surprised me.
F