They were here!

They were here!
After a year from the date we visited them in Dublin they came visiting this week.
They were here as part of a re-union for the family of Dr M - with his parents and brothers gathered in Dubai. Despite their busy schedule, we appreciate the two nights they were able to spend at our home. A pleasure and an honour!
The picture below was taken at last night's dinner with Dr M's parents and siblings. Dr M had a wish to have steak for dinner - a yearning due to lack of 'Halal' steak in Dublin.
(At the far end of the table was Dr M partly hidden, KD in white tudung, and facing her was LiL with my 'umrah hair' next to LiL. NAMI and Luqman next to each other at the head table).






Luqman and NAMI
It was so heart warming for all of us to see Luqman and NAMI renewing their friendship which was started in Dublin a year ago - when we were guests at KD's home. As soon as they finished their dinner, which we noticed they had rushed through, they both disappeared from the dining table. We soon found them on the bay of a window overlooking the Ski Dubai.
The young English lady was a spectator to two young hearts in all of their innocence nurturing a friendship separated by distance but renewed by fond memories of yesterdays and shared optimism for tomorrow. I envied the young lady - for I wished I could have witnessed their conversation.

The adults raced away!
We had an exciting time at the Dubai Autodrome this morning - Go Karting away. Dr M and KD were neck to neck, cheek to cheek from start to finish. No, it was not due to others giving way - but simply they were better at taking corners! hehehehe.....and legally too.
But in the end, the guys decided to share the first place podium for a photo pose! That is sportsmanship for you.....

From Blog Friends to Family Friends!

It does not matter where and how friendship begun - what matters is how it ends. And hopefully ours will never end. They were the first people whom LiL and I have extended our invitation to our silver wedding jubilee at the end of this year.

To carry the legacies forward!

For NAMI and Luqman, may they both find enough reasons to stay good friends.

Distance will get in the way again and again. But for as long as they are able to believe in the magic of twinkling stars - no distance will ever be too far!

Tomorrow we'll say goodbye to KD and her family as they board the plane back to wet and windy Dublin. But in their faraway home - there will always be warmth. For that is what they carry with them anywhere they are. Warmth and love for everyone!

Tomorrow they may be gone- but fond memories will forever stay!