Good to hear from you, thanks for letting me know.

I wish you a good time with your loved ones. I guess, you'll enjoy it, since it seems to be precious, after you had to go through some risks.

No, I'm not tied to any government, the chancellor and his party are not related to me by blood or marriage ;) My bonds are my language, my family and a few friends. That's more than enough. I'm not finished with what parenthood still requires from me. Not until my son moves out and goes his own way. Or when we, the adults, decide it is necessary.

Life is often made up of ‘you get what you get’ situations. For me personally, taking them too much to heart only causes me suffering. There's enough to do anyway, so one step at a time.

I think you know best yourself that wishing ‘if only everyone did or didn't do this and that, the world would be a better place’ is a rather childish statement and that if you think it through, you can predict with absolute precision that it will never happen. Finding an agreement with just four people is difficult enough. That is the only thing you can say with certainty, that a complete agreement of what you desire or disapprove of with the countless other people will not happen. I consider this to be one of the most important insights in my life. I have to remind myself of it from time to time when I'm in danger of forgetting. I'd hate to have it conformed, so I do not confirm you here and think you'll understand.

Where indeed the tolerance in culture and customs became their downfall .

Don't we know? It may or may not be their (and our) downfall. We'll see and are still in the game. Life is an adventure with many traps, sufferings and challenges to meet. I hear so many sane people talk about "the west going downwards" and how to stay serene and not despaired in these situations. Other countries, other peoples, other nations suffered this and still suffer what we begin to fear. One can not always be on the sunny side of life (hard to swallow, though). That's for sure, as well. That does not mean to endure each and every situation which comes close, but to act in the act with what dignity one is owning.

To educate your own offspring, when the situation offers itself. Which is something I just did yesterday, when I had a big clash with my son. All good, we've talked ourselves through it about one hour and a half. These are the best moments, when the conflicts come up and seek expression.