An iconic dress from my 1950s childhood.

When I see a doctor, s/he will sometimes end the meeting with "Do you have any other questions?" And sometimes I tease them with the ultimate question: "What is the meaning of life?"   It's an old joke, right?

When I was much younger, I wondered ... why didn't my parents tell me the answers to the really important questions? Now I understand ... It simply is not possible.

Now I'm the parent. I would love to give some particularly meaningful  wisdom to my daughter. But, what can I do? I can share my thoughts, my experiences, my feelings, my beliefs, my everlasting love ... all those things help, one way or another. But I can't give her

the answer

.

What does it matter? Adeline is wiser than her mother, in many ways. Plus, I don't think

the answer

really matters. It's the search that gives life meaning.