Taking those you love with you

In honor of mother's day I thought it appropriate to post a beautiful passage from Henri's first letter home to his parents. It is important to stress that Henri was Albert and Catherine de Büren's only son, and the only person to take over the castle of Vaumarcus. It was a great act of love and faith on his parent's part to let him leave Switzerland on a journey he could have very easily not returned from. His acknowledgment of that faith and love are contained within these lines of enthusiasm, reminiscence and reassurance.

Boston, 1852

"Not a day goes by that I don’t feel countless new sensations. These are a natural result of my long and interesting voyage thus far. I will try and share some of my experiences which are all so new and exciting it is hard to remember them all. I think of you and the family often, what you are doing, what you are thinking, and how I would like you to share in my adventure. I feel that your thoughts are with me, they give me strength and confidence to participate in all the new sensations and experiences that the new world has to offer. Alas it must be said that not all of my experiences are positive. The path of a traveller is like that of life, a coin with two sides, a flower with thorns. Please be reassured however that I have not hurt myself too deeply on the thorns, and I do my best to keep my eyes on the beauty of these new flowers."