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Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there in the world who are celebrating today.

We're having a family party - my grandfather, my two aunts and uncles, and myself. Three mothers but none of us will have our children with us today. That will seem a little strange.

But we have a feast planned, the cake we always have at special family events has been ordered and the beer is on ice. My aunts and I are guaranteed to fall over with helpless laughter about something incredibly silly that nobody else will be able to comprehend, there will be at least one family-style disagreement with eyes rolling and lots of huffing and puffing, a lot of reminiscing and a touch of sadness as we tell stories of  my grandmother, who was always the life and soul of any party. And, of course, we'll be making the most of Grandad still being here with us.

It's my last day here in Fresno as I have to take the early train to San Francisco tomorrow morning. It always makes me sad to leave my family in California, but on Tuesday night, when I land in Dubai after what will be about 23 hours of travel, I'm planning to hug and kiss each of my three children until they complain and beg to be allowed back to bed. Now that's something to really look forward to.

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Children begging is good ... excellent!

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