Day 81

Happy Mother's Day. Certainly in the minority of those who celebrated it in Kazakhstan today. Other expats look towards May and the locals who have probably wrapped up that celebration with International Women's Day. So tried to ensure Ali felt as special as she is to us with eggs benedict (only without the ham, toast instead of muffin and an easier alternative to Hollandiase sauce), a relaxing morning and then onto Segafredo close to where we used to live at Riverside. The children enjoyed it too as there were a few kids play things in Segafredo, so Ali and I could stare out of the window and remark how different Astana looks without the snow and ice. Often the comment "didn't notice that was there before" escaped our lips knowing full well that it was buried in several feet of snow for the past few months.

Met up with other Christian expats today and also played guitar with another guitarist, which has been a very long time since I last did that - possibly TRBC in Horsham days with Doug and crew. Came across a couple who have returned to Astana after a long break back home. They had lost their child and you can see the grief etched into every sinew and fibre. It is remarkeable how much courage they have just to continue day by day. It is also a powerful lesson that for all the woes and drama we experience in our lives, an event like that puts everything into perspective. It is not to say that the other things do not matter, but they matter a whole lot less when faced with this. My thoughts turn to Laura (my pseudo-sister) and Duncan who had the anniversary of the passing of Jasmine recently. Howard Nowlan. Daren Nowlan. Steve and Gail Whitington. The list goes on. You are inspiration.

Ray