It has never been easy for me to find things to write about in this journal. Now all of a sudden, I have so many things to write about that I could write something almost every day. Why is that so different than before? The difference is in the amount of time I currently spend doing kung fu. I practice every day, which means my kung fu is continually on my mind and I have things happen all the time. Therefore, I have things to journal about. I am not one to know a lot about people in the public eye, or political issues, or worldly events. I notice quite a few journals are about those types of things. What I do know a lot about. . . is me. So my journals are mostly about me and my journeys in life.

This past week, my journey took me deep into the appreciation I have for my kids. I have four of them: three girls, and my youngest is a boy. My oldest daughter will be 27 on Thursday, my other two are 24 and 22, and my son is 20. They are, and always have been at the very center of my life.

This week, I wrote a letter to each of my children, expressing my appreciation and love for them and for the wonderful adults they have grown to be. This is one of my kung fu requirements, but I did it for more than just that.

As I wrote out each letter, I clearly defined the character of each of my children, as I listed the great qualities that each of them have. After writing the letters and pondering the words I wrote, I realized that each of my children are different from each other in some ways, naturally, and different in some ways, from me as well. I also realized that as individual as they are, they still all have a little part of me, in them.

Of all my kids, my oldest daughter is the most like me. She has a very sincere passion for the outdoors, and for animals of all kinds. She has compassion, empathy, and recognizes the needs of others. She works hard, is a terrific mom, crafty, and loves to go all out with preparations for family gatherings. She loves to organize things. Unlike her mom, this daughter is very much into political issues and quite outspoken about them as well. She is very much up to speed with worldly issues, and has her own ideas of how to solve the world's problems. My daughter is very smart and was working as a pipe designer before the birth of her son a few months ago.

My second oldest daughter is very quiet and shy when not in comfortable surroundings. She used to be painfully shy, but has come a long ways in the past few years, and is more comfortable now, than she used to be when outside her own element. It is her inner strength and desire to make a change in herself that helped her accomplish this change. This daughter also works hard, loves to socialize, and be silly. She is happy and laughs a lot. She tries to make sure that others around her are happy as well. This daughter loves to be in the mountains, but unlike her mom, she is very comfortable with city life as well. Like her older sister, she is also very smart, successful, and currently works in a law firm as a legal assistant.

My youngest daughter, dare I say, has the rebellious side of her mom. She, like me, does not like to be told what to do. She has her own ideas of what needs to be done, and when she gets an idea in her head, she goes full steam ahead and gets it, and she does not like people to stand in her way either. This daughter has great personal strength and has had to overcome some very difficult times in her young life. She has made mistakes but she recognizes them and tries to learn from them. She is also quick to recognize those around her who have helped and supported her through the tough times. She is a very deep thinker, and like me, sometimes feels this is a curse. This daughter is also a great mom, and her son "rocks her world", as she puts it. This daughter has become a success at running a local business in the city. She has goals and visions of a bright future for herself and her little family.

My youngest, my son - as I always tell him, he is my favorite son. ;) He has inherited the side of me that appreciates being active. He stays physically fit, and we both share a passion for the martial arts. He too is a black belt, and I know that as he honors that, it will serve him well, as it has me. To share this with my son is a great blessing. When we practice together, he gets such a bright spark in his eye for the technique or a part of a form, and I find it exuberating, and often contagious. My son has great strength and yet a very gentle heart. Compassion is no stranger to him, and he is not afraid to express it, even in public. Unlike me, my son is not much for social gatherings other than the ones with family. He prefers being at home. My son is currently going to school for Media Arts, and IT.

One trait that every one of my kids possess, is a great love and supportive nature for one another, and for their mom. The bonds they share with each other are unmeasurable. They are very protective of each other and of me. Their love and appreciation for one another and for family is a great blessing to me as a parent. They are always there for each other; supporting, forgiving, loving, understanding, sharing, laughing, sometimes even crying. They have been an incredible support to me over the years, as I have taken on some difficult journeys. They continue to be a huge support to me as I take on my many passions and adventures. I love them all very much. I appreciate them and am proud of them.