Responselet 9710b
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 1997 08:26:23 -0700
Dear Roice,
I do so much enjoy reading your "Thoughlets". Looking back on life from my middle ages makes one stop and think about the first half of life and what has happened in it. What would have happened if I had not made this choice or chose something different when presented with the choice. Watching as your older children reach out to the world with still such youthful fingers. Always tempted to still guide them even though it would be an intrusion on their life. Wondering about what the next hafl of life will bring. So much of the first half I seem to have been pushed along by an unseen wind-choices made and choices taken away. Remembering the sorrows and the learning from. Waling one step at a time each day and trying to not be so hard on oneself when a step is taken backwards. If I had been told at graduation from high school what my life would look like now I probably wouldn't recognize me. I envisioned myself the "doctor" healer of the wounded body-knowledgable in many areas. Not so anti establishment as much as just walking to the beat of my own drummer. Who would have though that at this point in life I would love the Gospel so much, that my husband and children consume almost every bit of energy I posses . The trials I have been through that no one but my Father would understand and the growth from within because of them. I think I can make life better but the process is so slow and I am too inpatient.
What I meant to say was that I enjoy reading your Thoughlets and muse on them for a time so keep them coming.
Thanks, Katherine
13 March 1997
Dear Katherine,
Thanks for your kind words. I really don't know you, but I feel like I know Claude for I feel like we share a lot of similar characteristics; whether it be to heredity, oldest child, the pain of divorce, drive for accomplishment, intensity, or whatever. I was very touched by what you wrote. Part of my idea of Thoughtlet's is that this becomes a family forum, a kind of electronic mentor for when one feels down, with a search engine that goes to comments that have relevance to a personal issue. I post the Thoughtlets (and responses I have permission to) on the WWW at http://www.walden3d.com/hrnmen and unless I hear otherwise plan to post your email when I update the web pages this weekend. I do believe there is tremendous strength to be gained from others in our extended family. Marti is moving out this week and I regularly fall apart because I feel like such a failure. I have tried so hard for so many years to get her to change her mind. It helps more than you can know to receive a letter like you sent. I do intend to keep working on the Thoughtlets as long as I am alive, and hopefully one of my kids or someone in the extended family will pick up on, continue, and improve the tradition.
With love and appreciation,
Roice