The Penguin and the Toy Car

Toys can be like hearts sometimes.
Especially when your favorite one gets broken.

Wise people tell us to be thankful that all of them aren't broken, tsk.
But it's hard to do — especially with hearts.

What a baby penguin wants is the original toy magically repaired, without any defects or visible signs of repair.

But sometimes, your favorite toy can be replaced.

Hearts are a different story — they require mending.
This takes time and feeling feelings.

Unless it's a physical heart — those can sometimes be replaced.

In time, you will love your new toy.

And your heart will mend.

Click here to see more of iva's penguins

iva by the sea

This is iva, by the sea.

Hold on, I'll be back in a minute.

If I'm gone longer than a minute, stand by.

There are some pressing health concerns that I must attend to, and I don't know what the outcome will be.

In the meantime, here is a portrait of a girl by the sea, who also happens to be named "iva".

In Memory Of

All the goldfish that never made it out of the bowl.

All the dandelions that were never given.

All the letters that were never sent.

Or ever even written.

° ° °

Your words have power. Don't keep them locked up inside.

Write a card or a letter to someone you love today. Remind them how much you care about them.

You aren't promised tomorrow with them.

° ° ° ° ° °

Unless you're like King David, before he became king, where he had a prophecy that he would become king, so when he faced Goliath, he knew he couldn't die, because God doesn't lie. ... But I guess it only works if the prophecy is about the person you love, because you might be around a while, but what about them?

In any case, they probably would like to read with their own eyes how much you appreciate them, especially if you don't say it out loud very often.

Things feel more real when they're written.

Hug them with your words.

Penguins with Goldfish: A Cautionary Tale

Once upon a time, there was a penguin with a goldfish.

It was very special to her, and she kept it safe in a bowl.

Because she loved her goldfish so much, one day she shared it with the other penguins in her class, and they didn't think it was special.

They made fun of her goldfish.

And the goldifish died.

This is not a very happy story.

Sorry.

° ° °

Every penguin has a goldfish. A penguin who says he has no goldfish actually has it locked in a box in a dark closet in his basement, and it never gets to see the light. It is a very, very sad goldfish.

An important part of learning to fly is not to share your cherished goldfish with penguins who may not appreciate them. And to be kind to other penguins' goldfish.

Protect your goldfish. Keep it safe. But don't keep it locked away in the dark. Let it see the light, and share it with those who will treat it kindly and cherish it as much as you do.

° ° °

But when your goldfish dies, it's important to do three things:

1. Cry
• This lets out all the sadness so there's room for joy again
• It's okay to cry, because you loved your goldfish
• as long as you continue on to the next step:
2. Be thankful
• This opens up new spaces in your heart for new goldfish
• Think about things you love (other than your goldfish)
• Remember things you're happy you that don't have, like fleas
3. Laugh
• Watch funny movies
• Read funny books
• Act silly with your friends
• Draw silly pictures
• Sing silly songs

Soon you'll have a new goldfish, and life will look rosy again.

Here's a picture of a baby penguin: