T,

How kind of you to remember my birthday. Thank you so much for the lovely gifts, they brightened my day immensely.

I do remember that day with great clarity, witch I might be, but I do not think I could have taken on a bear. I remember joking that I might take on a griffin instead, but even now that seems foolish. Not that one sees many of those around the British Isles either. I quelled at even the thought of giant spiders when they threatened Irvingly last summer, but I believe my weakness might be excused with the fact that at the time it was believed to be a mass murderer. Still there are days I wish for the bravery of naivity. It seems with each year I grow older that bravery dims with the knowledge of the claws of savage beasts and not just the beauty of the world. Perhaps this is the curse of having a birthday?

Caroline