thoughts from the other side (of the ocean)

Alex came home from school on Wednesday (17 April) talking about the shootings that occurred at VA Tech 2 days ago. Judging from the details she relayed to me, it seems her teacher did her research. She knew the exact number of students that were killed, when/where/how it occurred, but also she was informed of -- the lack of gun control laws in the US.

Every time a school shooting incident happens in the U.S., the students here are quick to learn about it and hear their teacher's thoughts. Alex knows that it takes something close to a miracle to possess a gun here in Europe. You have to "answer a thousand questions and take a lot of tests", as she puts it. There's a slim to zero chance that anyone without a REALLY good excuse could even legally own a gun here.

But even w gun control in place here, it doesn't stop people from fearing the possibility of school shootings, and that related forms of violence may become more widespread. The fear may also be related to concerns about losing an innocence and quality of life that is taken for granted in Europe. Children ride their bikes or the city train/bus to school by themselves at a young age and think nothing of it. Once I heard of a 7 year old taking the train from Brussels to Antwerp for ballet lessons because her mom said if she really wanted to dance at that school she had to show how much she wanted it. Would be a shame for kids to lose this kind of freedom.

All that said, but more importantly, our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims as well as to all those at VA Tech whose lives have been affected. I can only imagine what they are going through right now.

grandma PHOEBE is 101!

We spoke with grandma yesterday, and she sounded better than ever. Wanted to wish her a happy 101st birthday before the masses hit her doorstep. Actually caught her during a nap, but May said she wouldn't want to miss our call so she woke her up and we had a wonderful chat.

She was so happy to hear our voices and was especially happy to hear little Phoebe's voice. She said when I'm her age I'll understand how nice it is to hear the sweet voices of great grandchildren. I think I already know what she means.

I suspect she had loads of visitors today, stopping in to see how she's doing and wanting to wish her well. I wonder how many birthday cards, flower arrangements, boxes of chocolate, visits by family/friends, phone calls, etc. she'll get. I wonder what will be her greatest gift.

Can you imagine celebrating 101 birthdays?!

down and out

this is not me - it's a picture i made of Muriel - but it's how i feel right now. Exhausted, deflated, but also rejuvenated. Adventures in Spain and visits w good friends will have this effect on a soul.

i suppose i'll be back on my feet in a while ... but for a moment I'll relish the feeling of being whammied.

BTW, i like your boots Muriel - where'd you get them?