My dear Mark,

I am delighted to hear your lovely little girl is recuperating well. Children are tough and resilient.

My little girl, now a grown woman, was one hell of a soccer player. A sweet, gentle and loving child, she was small but at the same time tough and with incredible speed. As a sweeper, she would spit out fancy forwards like cherry pits.

I was her first coach, and taught her not to let the big girls intimidate her. "You're a smarter player than they are," I advised, "and you're faster and tougher."

She proved me right.

So you see, my dear Mark, children are tough. I dare say, often tougher than their parents. Your little girl is tougher than you think. She also sounds like a remarkable child. Please give her a big hug — and another from me.

Regards,
Obie