Summary

Maria pens an open letter to her granddaughter Kristen, who is embarking on an engineering career in Belfast, Northern Ireland, celebrating her journey and offering encouragement.

Abstract

Maria writes a heartfelt open letter to Kristen, her granddaughter, as she begins her engineering career in Belfast. Recalling fond memories from a family wedding, Maria notes the passage of time and Kristen's growth into a beautiful, determined woman entering a field still underrepresented by women. She expresses excitement for Kristen's new chapter, including time spent with her grandmother in Scotland before settling in Belfast. Maria reflects on the Irish lifestyle, the significance of Kristen's surname, and the courage it takes to move far from home. Drawing on wisdom from Dr. Seuss, she encourages Kristen to embrace her new adventure and make the most of her opportunities, confident that Kristen will succeed and make her mark.

Opinions

Maria acknowledges the underrepresentation of women in engineering and believes Kristen will contribute to a fairer representation in the profession.
She suggests that embracing local customs, such as enjoying Guinness, may help Kristen connect with her Irish heritage.
The letter conveys a sense of pride in Kristen's Norman-Irish surname, Dalton, which is linked to the Vikings who invaded England during the Battle of Hastings.
Maria quotes John Lennon to imply that Belfast is a destined stop in Kristen's life journey.
She emphasizes the importance of courage and tenacity in moving away from family, drawing parallels to the uplifting messages found in Dr. Seuss's work.
Maria encourages Kristen to be bold and independent, assuring her that homesickness is temporary and that new opportunities await.
She expresses confidence in Kristen's abilities to navigate her own path and overcome challenges, affirming that Kristen's character will guide her decisions and successes.

Open Letter To Kristen Who Right Now Is Winging Her Way To Scotland

And subsequently to Belfast, to begin her exciting career as an engineer

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Kristen is my sister Catherine’s eldest granddaughter. She has lived most of her life in South Africa, but now is beginning her career as an engineer in Belfast. She’s probably landing in Scotland as I write, to spend some time with Catherine, and then fly to Belfast and settle in.

I couldn’t help penning this letter to her, just to mark this momentous occasion.

Dear Kristen,

Last time we touched base with each other was at Mark’s wedding in Noosa. You were very much a little girl, excited about all that Australia had to offer.

Do you remember?

Gillian, your sister, managed to get herself lost, somewhere along the shoreline of Noosa Beach, and a whole wedding just stopped until she was found.

Thankfully she was found, and celebrations, though a little muted, continued.

And now, somehow, the years have flown, and you’re all grown up, beautiful, determinedly smart, and entering what was once a male-dominated profession.

What a challenge!

Even today I believe women are under-represented in engineering, so now it’s your job to tip the scales towards a fairer representation. How you will do that, I have no idea, but the ball is firmly in your court.

I can only imagine how excited you are right now, and to spend a few days with your grandmother while you settle in, well that’s simply priceless.

It’s hard to know who is more excited. I hope you recognize each other, because rumor hath it that the local beauty parlor is capitalizing on your grandmother looking at her most glamorous!

Having spent most of your formative years in South Africa, I am wondering how easily you will embrace an Irish lifestyle.

Don’t get me wrong. Ireland is a beautiful country and each time I have been there, given that I am half-Irish, I have felt right at home, and you will too.

You won’t have any excuses to be bored. (You did pack your hiking boots, didn’t you? ). So many places to visit in Northern Ireland, before heading south to a very different Ireland.

Last time I visited, I noticed that, despite their slender forms, Irish women have a taste for Guinness, you know the dark, rich licorice-like drink that is synonymous with an Irish lifestyle.

You may not like it initially (I’m told it is an acquired taste), so you may just have to be strong in the moment and taste it at least. But those Irish girls love it, pints and all! You may just discover your Irish genes, (yes you do have some), when you taste it for the first time.

Feeling right at home

One thing that will augur well for you is your surname. Dalton is Norman in origin, and if my British history serves me correctly, they were originally Vikings who invaded England during the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Many of the Dalton clan do claim to be Irish, but then everybody wants to be a wee bit Irish, (or Scottish), so no harm in extending your claim too.

As your very famous ‘uncle’ John Lennon once said, “There’s nowhere you can be that you weren’t meant to be,’ so obviously Belfast, if we believe that, is where you are destined to be for a while.

But Kristen, life is rather short, as they say, so make the most of this amazing opportunity.

I was thinking as I wrote this letter, about all the wonderful Dr Seuss quotes that talk about courage and risk.

Moving a long distance from family, takes both courage and tenacity.

Enjoy them. On those days when you’re just a wee bit homesick, they might assure you that these things will pass, and a new dawn/opportunity will rise.

Oh the places you’ll go,

Today is your day.

Your mountain is waiting,

So get on your way.

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

Any direction you choose.

You’re on your own

And you know what you know,

And you are the one

Who’ll decide where to go.

All alone,

Whether you like it or not,

Alone will be something

You’ll be quite a lot.

The last verse is mine, so no attribution to Dr Seuss.

So many things you will do without fear.

So many steps you will take with a tear.

But do them you will, ’cause you’re ‘youer’ than you.

And YOU will decide the things that you’ll do.

Wishing you every blessing for your future Kristen. So many places to explore now. Enjoy, have fun, and show all those Irish engineers what South African girls are made of.

Maria :)