One of the wonderful aspects of
being a parent is the most wonderful privelage of watching the
beautiful painting of life taking form, as it unfolds in their
children. I hope you understand how much joy this gives us as we
notice these wonderful developments in you, now as you have launched
out into your life away from us. We understand your life is colorful
-- sometimes blue, sometimes gray and dark, sometimes as bright and
shiny as the sun - and sometimes every depth of colour in between.
Life, as an artist is blending all these things together to form the
wonderful person that you are, and that you are becoming. We are
proud of you.
I am glad for the trip that
Rebecka and you, along with Nathalie (and Elias) are planing to the
prairies of Saskatchewan in a couple of months. The place, and the
people, and the culture that formed my early years. There are some
wonderful aspects of Canada -- and of course aspects that could be
different. It makes me happy that you want to check it out on your
own -- and hopefully lay hold on the positives you may see, to make
your own lives a little richer and more colourful.
One little thought I would
like to leave with you Ellen -- Sometimes there are events in the
course of our lives that are clearly out of our control -- sometimes
chapters of our lives that we must live with, but that we
don't understand and definately would not choose if we'd been given
a choice. This does not mean that these things must diminish the
quality of our lives. Today, my background in religion has proven to
be a major mistake for me -- but it is what brought me to
Sweden where the most valueable things in my life exist -- so I am
so enormously thankful for it.
There have been other events
since then have seemed horribly tragic and painful in their day, but
except for them I would have missed the major part of this wonderful
family that is by far my greatest treasure, and my greatest love
today. I assure you that I am so glad for every single day of my 66
years -- as every one of them has in some way, led me to where I am,
to be with you today. I hope you feel this way when 46 more years
are added to the 20 we are celebrating with you today..
Ellen, 'your tomorrows' are a
big page for you -- and we know they will be filled with the
fullness of the colour of each day that you live. Don't forget the
beauty involved - and appreciate all these amazing colours, as they
blend together to be the wonderful 'you' that we love.
Your dad