Learning on the Road

When we came across Prince Harry in St. Kitts, I tried to explain Lara who he was and what the commotion was about. “There have been three great empires in the world. One is the Roman Empire, the other is the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman Empire is now modern Turkey. So you are the descendent of two great empires. However, you should not be proud of anything you haven't done. Glory is not inherited through blood,” I said and went on. “Of course it's natural to be proud of your ancestors. I hope you will be proud of me to be your mother when you grow up. But you have a direct relation to me, I am the one raising you. I hope you take pride in me as your mother and be proud of the wisdom I hope to have given you. And most of all, be proud of your own achievements and the life you have lived. Be proud, but be humble too. Be proud in the sense of being content, being at peace with the things you have done.”

I went on with the lecture: “The third is the British Empire. They have colonized so many faraway lands. They still have the queen.” Then I showed her the East Caribbean coin and said “That's Prince Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Think of your grandmother's photo on a coin. How would it be?”

To be honest, Lara didn't seem so interested. But you never know... Sometimes a long time passes after I have said something, out of the blue she comes up with comments and questions, you understand that she has processed the information you gave and is trying to understand. That's natural learning.