Vacatioin – it is a lovely word. I would never have believed how much good a vacation can do. Brain switched off, a brief rest. And then we start off again, for it’s the nature of life that fulfillment comes with action.

I have thought about you, all of you, who take the time to think about these people, these Haitians, these friends.

Thank you for reading this blog. Thank you for adding your comments, your impressions, your personal stories, to it. I hope you’ll go on doing that – it’s the best way of creating a collective memory of and for these more-than-perfect creatures, for these people, disabled perhaps in terms of intelligence, and now confronted by an enormous challenge that will continue for years - to play a part in the rebuilding of this small, beautiful country, at once fragile and majestic.

The time is more appropriate than ever to talk to you about love. But the words only tangle themselves up in my head. So I suggest that we re-enter this blog together, slowly.

Here is a single photograph. Very simple. A picture of two lovers – because love is the beginning of a life.

Harold - The smile of a good-natured man, the goodwill of a Samaritan, and a girlfriend who loves him

Thanks to Harold for inviting me to his birthday party. To have lived for 45 years is not a very short time, but it’s not too long either. You would have to live 45 more years before I could say that you are old. The smile of a good-natured man, the goodwill of a Samaritan, and a girlfriend who is very clear that he is HER boyfriend! Love that’s strong enough to blow out the candles by its own force! Happy Birthday and my best wishes to Harold Lejeune.

See you very soon. I’ll post a new blog entry shortly after I return to Haiti (I expect to be back the morning of the 31st).