Papa time

A bit of an old shot. But seeing as he's just been moved from my side of the bed back to his new bed. A long day with his school trip to Hastings. Seeing sharks and crabs, with lunch on the beach... As I carried him (and Pluto back) I was reflecting on how much I delight in my Joshie.

Sleep well son.

Germany vs Algeria

What an exciting game. Strange with England gone from this World Cup and now simply watching the sport to be entertained has been quite pleasant.

New haircuts

Joshie and Reuben have short hair. Gone are the Indie kids and now here come the Beatles era.

Ridgewaye Lions

Caleb at his tournament today. Won 2, drawn 2, lost 1.

Father's Day

Love my Father's Day hand made drawings, cards and gifts! 

Feeling blessed!

Thank you 63 Cambrian Road for being our 'Home'

Thank you for the past eight and half years

Thank you for providing a shelter for my family

Thank you for being the first home for my three children

Thank you for being the birthing place of a charity

Thank you for being a hub for operations for a band of volunteers

Thank you for being there when we lost some of our family

Thank you for being there when we were at our weakest

Thank you for providing a place for us to build what matters most to us: each other, our beliefs, our characters, our love for others

Thank you for letting us share you with others

Thank you for letting us hide

Thank you for the past eight and a half years.

We're thankful for you and all you've allowed us to do.

We'll miss you but always remember you... most of all we simply wish to say thank you.

(Our last supper at 63 Cambrian Road- FnC)

Half term: pre move

Moving tomorrow and having a host of nostalgic feelings and memories.

Been a tense few days of preparation. Waiting is not my strong point. Nice to be among my family again.

One more sleep.

A great store name

USA2014: fundraising dinner

It was great to be invited to a fundraising dinner this evening and hear about the impact micro finance is having around the world. From Ukraine, to Rwanda, to China, to Dominican Republic and more. Amazing.

What I'm loving especially is hearing them refer to their borrowers as clients in all their language. I've heard the poor being referee to many things: beneficiaries, lazy, powerless and now "clients".

Also was able dress up.

USA2014: meeting the Hope crew

Landed in DC yesterday and shared a bus to Lancaster for the Hope annual conference. We're running a struggle for survival simulation here on Saturday.

I was speaking to the head of their Rwandan operation. I asked how the twenty year rememberance went this past month. I was 19 at the time the airplane was shot down and based in Kenya whilst the news was breaking to the world of the violence. He answered forgiveness is powerful. "I heard recently of neighbours who had killed the other's family members coming back to each other on their knees seeking deep forgiveness and redemption. And they were forgiven because they knew what forgiveness means: hope".

Powerful. It's going to be an amazing weekend and already speaking with Dominicans, Burundians, Singaporeans and meeting many more. 

What an honour to be with so many who serve the least of these.

The Solanky boys

Primrose Charles Moses 24.09.38-29.04.14

Today was my auntie's funeral.

Mixed emotions: both sad and happy. I loved the eulogy (beneath) ... I'll miss you auntie and thank you for being such a lovely caring and giving person.

Rest in peace Primrose Auntie :)

Bank holiday weekend

Love these Bank Holiday weekends.

Reuben time

I've been really enjoying seeing Reuben grow up so wonderfully. School's been a tough adjustment but he's done remarkably well. Very proud of the lil guy.

Joshie's questions

"Papa?"... 'Yes Joshie'... "When you were young was it black and white?"

"Were there dinosaurs around?"

"Were there cars and electricity?"

"Were there cave men?"... 'No, not really Joshie' ... "so there were some then?!" ... 'I don't think so'...  "not even one?"

Just some of the questions I was receiving this morning from my son.

Teaching the guitar

Some springtime holiday shots

You'll never walk alone

From when my brother came home with that Liverpool bag back in the early 80s and saw that amazing shield with the liver bird I was hooked.

As a life long Liverpool fan it's been a bunch of highs and lows. But something special is happening this season. For a long time I've been steadily losing my interest in football. The money. The corruption. The diving. The mercenaries. And the loss of pride in your club and nation.

Yesterday something happened at the right time, on the right day to restore a bit of faith.

25 years ago 96 people died in the Hillsborough disaster. I recall watching it happening.

25 years later they remembered. We remembered.

25 years later probably the biggest game of this year's season. With Liverpool, the outsiders, playing the favourites. A team brimming with enthusiasm, talent and belief.

I think its this "belief" that's enamoured me. And boy is it infectious. Now I'm starting to believe that this could be our year.

Haven't felt this excited about football for a very long time.

And... I believe "this is our year to bring the premiership home"

(an older video... but apt)

Epilogue

The Director of the production emailed yesterday to say:  "Don't be surprised if you feel a bit low this week. You are tired - spiritually, emotionally and physically"

He's not wrong.

My cast buddies have shared the following:

"It was such an amazing experience working with you all over the last few days and I can't believe how emotional I found it all!!"

"Incredible!!! Such a wonderful experience. I've loved and loathed every second in a weird way as its been so emotional, uncomfortable (and not just on the knees!!) But equally unbelievably uplifting!!!" "Hey, what an incredible thing to be a part of and it was such a great experience that I love sharing with you all. I think it's something none of us will ever forget." "I’m feeling quite shaken-up this morning, and didn’t sleep much.  Thank you all so much – what a privilege to be part of it, and to think that the same drama was happening elsewhere..." "Ok we played the ugly parts and we messed up with the words but somebody had to keep you all on your toes. What a memory ...."

"Does anybody else feel they’d really like to do it again....?!"

Two done... It is finished

7 months ago I heard the call.

3 months ago I attended an information evening.

2 months ago I received the call up.

6 weeks ago we started learning the structure of the narrative and committed this to memory.

4 days ago we convened, for the first time, to rehearse. Yesterday morning we finished rehearsing the last half of the play. One full dress rehearsal during the afternoon. And that was it. That was all we did before the actual show. Man that was freaky.

Now today. I'm home. It is over. It is finished. I am indeed tired, emotional, both saddened and joyful to be part of something greater than just the sum of... well, me. 

It's been an honour to serve, perform, be in a production with all these people. Never again will I do this in the same way again.... If you get a chance watch the Mark Drama... It's been amazing...