Some photos from the weekend

Joshie got awarded the kindness award for "always being kind". Very proud!

And Reuben's lovely get well picture for me...

Davos2014: 'rilla

Davos2014: at Zurch

The adventures of'Rilla an' me continued... made it to Zurich.

Waiting from Allie at the airport and then off to Kublis.

Davos2014: early

Off to Davos. Again.

Joshie gave me a companion. Not alone.

And Caleb a note. Encouraged.

4.19am and awaiting my lift.

Onwards and upwards.

A pic from the plane

Death, Decay and Peace

Last year I was able to return to where I first went as a newlywed. It was a place called the Boat of Garten. We went first over ten years ago and returned ten year later.

As we returned, the place was different and it was a very different time. I recall walking around a stunning woodland path. Enjoying afresh the stunning surroundings, yet also enjoying my relationship. At how much it matured and these years had seasoned our enjoyment. It was a wonderful moment.

When talking about this time recently a question was posed to me: "was the place as you remember it?" 

He went on and said there is so much of the disappointment when returning to places of 'enjoyment' and 'moments'. 

The place has moved on and so have the people. He said that change is often a decay or a lament or a reminder of how things were and the contast to how they are now. He described this process in terms of "a death" or "decay". He said often we look and things speak of this death and decay, or that contrast from then to now either in how they are presented to us or we to it.

When thinking why the experience was better in my response was a combination of peacefulness. Peace in the surroundings, peace in the wonderful company and more so the peace in accepting that this moment was given. I was allowed, for this brief moment, to be in this space and allowed this company and in my heart to say thank you.

I answered his question about whether the place was as I remember saying: "it was so much better."

I'm sure if I returned to the Boat of Garten I will remember those moments that the place allowed me to generously experience. 

And if I did go back I'd like to say thank you.

Travelling

20 years ago now. Man that's an age ago. That's how long it's been since I stepped on that flight at Heathrow heading to the Middle East but bound for Nairobi. It was the start of an East African adventure. 2 months working in an orphanage and then travelling. A gap year dream.

On that flight heading out it was then that it dawned on me that I was alone and without my family. My friends they were there, some of them at least (always good to have pass the pig co-players!)

I was just a year into adulthood and it was a big trip for a 'new man'. 

When I returned there was that usual eagerness to come back and yet when I stepped back to my home town there was utter alienation. Mainly within myself. I had been away and learned new things and been through a host of wonderous experiences stretching from watching the crabs scuttle the white beaches of Diani to eating termites, the stench of Malindi buses and indeed the children... The people who you shared those few, yet life defining, moments with. Yet I could not turn back to them and relive and share those times with. Instead I had settle for trying to adjust back to who I was or otherwise be overlooked when trying to share the moments.

I recall when speaking with friends who yearned to travel about their passions. It was the usual self fulfilment or finding oneself in the newness of places. I recall for me when thinking about this was the desire to not leave and to stay. To build friendships with those around me and to stay for the long term. 

Wind the clock back just ten years ago and as a newly wed I recall dreaming of settling down somewhere new and be part of something. To not disappear but to stay and live, share and be in fellowship with those around you:

In the air right now and about to step into some meetings and strangely remembering some of those feelings.

Start of the holidays

Love these moments 

St. John's school Christmas fair photos

Dover ferry port

En route to Brussels for an exhibition for Aid organisations and Aid suppliers. 

The next three days shall be an adventure. 

All the more poignant as the world responds to the Typhon disaster in the Philippines. Already the figures have been placed around 10,000 feared dead.

The subject matter for the conference is resilience. 

Some of Reuben's craft work

He started full time school this week.

All three have now transitioned fully to school.

One of his last moments of craft at home.

Here's some Reuben Craft.

Cat Empire

I don't often get to go out without some kind of purpose.

Tonight I managed to indulge. Around 10 years ago a friend said you have to see this band live. They're unbelievable.

10 years on after not seeing them he's taking me to one of their concerts.

Agreed. They rock!

With a little help

Reuben is recovering from his operation. The surgeon suggested that this is at least a 10 day process. It's vital to help his body heal. 

He has been glued to Angie all these days and every four hours has a dose of medication.

As a result I have been blessed to take Joshie and Caleb to and from school. I have loved it. We've done quizzes and chatted. It's been marvellous.

Yesterday whilst walking back Caleb decided to run ahead and go to the small park. I looked in and he was wrestling his friend. I shouted the ever so common phrase "come on Caleb" and continued walking expecting him to catch up. 

After his brief wrestle he picked himself up and managed to run down the hill. He tripped and fell. His knee, hand and head were scraped, bleeding and was in pain.

I immediately picked him up and having all their bags walked down the hill. Joshie helped and carried his rucksack and stroked his wounded brother.

My mind was concentrating on getting home so I could clean and patch him up. Also I was thinking will I be able to carry him all the way up the hill.

We walked and I whispered words to help his battered morale. A car pulled up and girl ran over and offered us two plasters. Then when I went to put them on it was very bloody and another woman came and said would you like some wipes. Then the plaster girl's mum came over and said why don't we give you a lift and her daughter (the one who gave us the plaster said I'd be happy to walk home to free up the space for all of us). In the space of seconds we were home.

What seemed a massive hill and journey to get home were made easy with a little help from strangers. 

Don't know your names or whether I'd even recognise you again... But ever so grateful for your helping hand today. Thank you.

Playing in the park with Joshie and Caleb

Flowers picked by his girl

Saw Joshie play football today and loved it. He loved it and Freya came down to watch her friend play. She picked a bunch of flowers for him too. 

He was so happy.

Reuben started school this week

AN OLDER POST WHICH I NEVER PUBLISHED!

A sad realisation of the journey of time.

A sad farewell to a wonderful chapter of our lives having the children raised to this day.

A sad farewell from home to school Reuben walked in to a new journey in his life.

What a handsome fella he is!

Reuben: 5 days after the operation

Reuben had his tonsils and adenoids out and grommets in.

He woke up with a nightmare and full of nerves ahead of the operation.

The consultant spoke with us and said the major aspect to this operation is the aftercare and to keep him loved and dosed up. Others who also had their children go through this and said they were told two weeks and it's at least that possibly more like three.

Five days on. I have been sleeping in a combination of Caleb and Joshie's beds and Reuben continues to heal. It's been pretty tough for the little guy. He's generally sad with a few moments of being back to the old Reuben. Those moments are increasing.

Revisiting Hope

I wrote about a family who I met late last year whilst on the streets of Bucharest here.

This week my colleague released a video of our time with the group:

Dada's in hospital

Dada was admitted to hospital this weekend. 

Sad to see such frailty more and more over these days. But in my heart thankful for being blessed with a Father who models love for others. 

So glad we were able to make him smile.

In hospital and we'll be back here in a few days for Reuben's op on Monday. 

With his papa