It Could Be Worse Discussion

[Guest guest]

Glacier

This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the birth defect.

It's not very long but is a powerful piece of writing in my opinion.

s.

Welcome To Holland

by

Perl Kingsley

c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

and ...

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability

- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand

it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip -

to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The

Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some

handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags

and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in

and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

" Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm

supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy. "

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and

there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting,

filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different

place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new

language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have

met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than

Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you

look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and

Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all

bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your

life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had

planned. "

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the

loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to

Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things

.... about Holland.

[Guest guest]

S-

I LOVE the Holland story! They have it up on the wall in my

midwive's office (in the bathroom LOL), and I've read it many

times...funny, I never actually thought about it now in relation to

myself having a child with a " disability " . It does take on a whole

new meaning.

, mommy of:

Guinevere, on, Ava 8/4/04 RCF DBB 16-18/7

> Glacier

> This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the

birth defect. It's not very long but is a powerful piece of

writing in my opinion.

>

>

>

> s.

>

> Welcome To Holland

>

>

>

> by

> Perl Kingsley

> c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

>

>

> and ...

>

> I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child

with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that

unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.

It's like this......

>

> When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous

vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make

your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The

gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian.

It's all very exciting.

>

> After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You

pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.

The stewardess comes in and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

>

> " Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for

Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of

going to Italy. "

>

> But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in

Holland and there you must stay.

>

> The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,

disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.

It's just a different place.

>

> So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a

whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people

you would never have met.

>

> It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less

flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you

catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has

Rembrandts.

>

> But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and

they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And

for the rest of your life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was

supposed to go. That's what I had planned. "

>

>

> And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...

because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

>

> But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you

didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very

special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

That is one of the most eye opening things I have read in a long time. Thank

you for sharing it with us!

D,

number23 number23@...> wrote:

Glacier

This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the birth defect.

It's not very long but is a powerful piece of writing in my opinion.

s.

Welcome To Holland

by

Perl Kingsley

c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

and ...

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability

- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand

it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip -

to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The

Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some

handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags

and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in

and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

" Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm

supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy. "

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and

there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting,

filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different

place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new

language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have

met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than

Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you

look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and

Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all

bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your

life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had

planned. "

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the

loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to

Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things

.... about Holland.

[Guest guest]

I'm glad it is well received in lieu of the recent discussion of our ability to

accept and cope with disabilities....

s.

That is one of the most eye opening things I have read in a long time. Thank

you for sharing it with us!

D,

number23 number23@...> wrote:

Glacier

This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the birth defect.

It's not very long but is a powerful piece of writing in my opinion.

s.

Welcome To Holland

by

Perl Kingsley

c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

and ...

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability

- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand

it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip -

to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The

Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some

handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags

and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in

and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

" Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm

supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy. "

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and

there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting,

filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different

place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new

language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have

met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than

Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you

look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and

Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all

bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your

life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had

planned. "

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the

loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to

Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things

.... about Holland.

[Guest guest]

thank you very much for this article... it really hit home... i have many times

(mostly when she was getting casts changed) have cried about her not having a

" normal " childhood... but i know that this is the one God has chosen for her...

and she is a wonderful little girl and i wouldn't have her any other way!!!! so

thank you very much... i will not wallow in self-pity anymore!!!!

mommy to Grace 12-03-03 BCF Dobb's Brace 23/7

number23 number23@...> wrote:

I'm glad it is well received in lieu of the recent discussion of our ability to

accept and cope with disabilities....

s.

Welcome To Holland

by

Perl Kingsley

c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

and ...

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability

- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand

it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip -

to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The

Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some

handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags

and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in

and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

" Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm

supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy. "

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and

there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting,

filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different

place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new

language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have

met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than

Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you

look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and

Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all

bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your

life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had

planned. "

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the

loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to

Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things

.... about Holland.

[Guest guest]

No, just wallow in Holland, I hear it's a beautiful place.

s.

Re: It Could Be Worse Discussion

thank you very much for this article... it really hit home... i have many times

(mostly when she was getting casts changed) have cried about her not having a

" normal " childhood... but i know that this is the one God has chosen for her...

and she is a wonderful little girl and i wouldn't have her any other way!!!! so

thank you very much... i will not wallow in self-pity anymore!!!!

mommy to Grace 12-03-03 BCF Dobb's Brace 23/7

number23 number23@...> wrote:

I'm glad it is well received in lieu of the recent discussion of our ability to

accept and cope with disabilities....

s.

Welcome To Holland

by

Perl Kingsley

c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

and ...

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability

- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand

it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip -

to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The

Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some

handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags

and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in

and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

" Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm

supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy. "

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and

there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting,

filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different

place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new

language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have

met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than

Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you

look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and

Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all

bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your

life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had

planned. "

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the

loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to

Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things

.... about Holland.

[Guest guest]

What a great way to put it, who was the author?!! I also have a

question ee, what does Glacier mean?

& Grace

> Glacier

> This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the

birth defect. It's not very long but is a powerful piece of writing

in my opinion.

>

>

>

> s.

>

> Welcome To Holland

>

>

>

> by

> Perl Kingsley

> c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

>

>

> and ...

>

> I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with

a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique

experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like

this......

>

> When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous

vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make

your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The

gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's

all very exciting.

>

> After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You

pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.

The stewardess comes in and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

>

> " Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for

Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going

to Italy. "

>

> But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in

Holland and there you must stay.

>

> The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,

disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.

It's just a different place.

>

> So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a

whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you

would never have met.

>

> It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less

flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you

catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has

Rembrandts.

>

> But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and

they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And

for the rest of your life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was

supposed to go. That's what I had planned. "

>

>

> And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...

because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

>

> But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you

didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special,

the very lovely things ... about Holland.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, I see the Author's name.

> > Glacier

> > This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the

> birth defect. It's not very long but is a powerful piece of

writing

> in my opinion.

> >

> >

> >

> > s.

> >

> > Welcome To Holland

> >

> >

> >

> > by

> > Perl Kingsley

> > c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

> >

> >

> > and ...

> >

> > I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child

with

> a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that

unique

> experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's

like

> this......

> >

> > When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous

> vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make

> your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The

> gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian.

It's

> all very exciting.

> >

> > After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You

> pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane

lands.

> The stewardess comes in and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

> >

> > " Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for

> Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of

going

> to Italy. "

> >

> > But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in

> Holland and there you must stay.

> >

> > The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,

> disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.

> It's just a different place.

> >

> > So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a

> whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people

you

> would never have met.

> >

> > It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less

> flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you

> catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

> Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has

> Rembrandts.

> >

> > But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and

> they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there.

And

> for the rest of your life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was

> supposed to go. That's what I had planned. "

> >

> >

> > And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...

> because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

> >

> > But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you

> didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very

special,

> the very lovely things ... about Holland.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Oh the glacier, evidently yahoogroups doesn't like my stationary (glacier) so it

just prints the word at random.

s.

Re: It Could Be Worse Discussion

What a great way to put it, who was the author?!! I also have a

question ee, what does Glacier mean?

& Grace

> Glacier

> This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the

birth defect. It's not very long but is a powerful piece of writing

in my opinion.

>

>

>

> s.

>

> Welcome To Holland

>

>

>

> by

> Perl Kingsley

> c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

>

>

> and ...

>

> I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with

a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique

experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like

this......

>

> When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous

vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make

your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The

gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's

all very exciting.

>

> After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You

pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.

The stewardess comes in and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

>

> " Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for

Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going

to Italy. "

>

> But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in

Holland and there you must stay.

>

> The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,

disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.

It's just a different place.

>

> So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a

whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you

would never have met.

>

> It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less

flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you

catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has

Rembrandts.

>

> But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and

they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And

for the rest of your life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was

supposed to go. That's what I had planned. "

>

>

> And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...

because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

>

> But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you

didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special,

the very lovely things ... about Holland.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh duh, the author, it's on the top of the story.

s.

Re: It Could Be Worse Discussion

What a great way to put it, who was the author?!! I also have a

question ee, what does Glacier mean?

& Grace

> Glacier

> This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the

birth defect. It's not very long but is a powerful piece of writing

in my opinion.

>

>

>

> s.

>

> Welcome To Holland

>

>

>

> by

> Perl Kingsley

> c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

>

>

> and ...

>

> I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with

a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique

experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like

this......

>

> When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous

vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make

your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The

gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's

all very exciting.

>

> After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You

pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.

The stewardess comes in and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

>

> " Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for

Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going

to Italy. "

>

> But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in

Holland and there you must stay.

>

> The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,

disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.

It's just a different place.

>

> So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a

whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you

would never have met.

>

> It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less

flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you

catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has

Rembrandts.

>

> But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and

they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And

for the rest of your life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was

supposed to go. That's what I had planned. "

>

>

> And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...

because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

>

> But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you

didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special,

the very lovely things ... about Holland.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

That is the best way to think of things. I'm so glad I read this

post. I remember when I went to the orthopaedic dr for the first

time. I thought it was just a routine visit to confirm that his feet

were just positional problems. When they told me he was bcf, I

cried. I cried like there was no tomorrow. Once the shock wore off,

I moved into reality mode and worked on doing everything I could

according to what my dr said.

There was one point in time that I realized how lucky I was that

there weren't any other problems. I brought my husband for the 2nd

week of casts (he didn't come to the first because I thought it was

just the check up). When we went to the dr's office, there were so

many children with severe disabilities. I realized then and there

that my mourning was over. I was lucky to have a healthy child and I

needed to remind myself of that.

Now I don't even think of it. I have a wonderful son who had some

minor problems with his feet. He couldn't be any happier and neither

could I!

Thanks again for posting that story. It is a wonderful outlook on

things.

Missy

> Glacier

> This is the article I mentioned yesterday - about grieving the

birth defect. It's not very long but is a powerful piece of

writing in my opinion.

>

>

>

> s.

>

> Welcome To Holland

>

>

>

> by

> Perl Kingsley

> c1987 by Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

>

>

> and ...

>

> I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child

with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that

unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.

It's like this......

>

> When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous

vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make

your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The

gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian.

It's all very exciting.

>

> After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You

pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.

The stewardess comes in and says, " Welcome to Holland. "

>

> " Holland?!? " you say. " What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for

Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of

going to Italy. "

>

> But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in

Holland and there you must stay.

>

> The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,

disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.

It's just a different place.

>

> So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a

whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people

you would never have met.

>

> It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less

flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you

catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has

Rembrandts.

>

> But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and

they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And

for the rest of your life, you will say " Yes, that's where I was

supposed to go. That's what I had planned. "

>

>

> And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...

because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

>

> But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you

didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very

special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

>

>

>

>

>

>