The Ides of March ( 15th)  made famous centuries ago by Julius Caesar's brutal assassination ( yet another fallen icon to cross my mind whilst writing this blog entry)  gave way to an unusual practice which heralded the first day of Spring ... in which the masters traded places with their servants and for an entire 24 hours the social order in Ancient Rome was turned on its head. I am sure the servants enjoyed swopping roles, clothing, duties and even their homes with their masters and every man, woman and child learned much from walking in the shoes of others -an equally empowering but also humbling experience.

Makes me wonder about the lesson to be learned in topsy-turviness. A year ago I was packing up my dream home in South Africa - to move to the UAE. This was not a decision taken lightly but having been promised a 4 bedroom villa and having been shown one as the common standard of company living on the selection tour, we acted in good faith and came to Dubai to be put into a two bedroom apartment with our 3 children ... and our lives were topsy-turvied.

It has not been the easiest of times - there has been much heartache for many reasons some of which were unnecessary lies and the frequent building up and dashing down of false hope of having a suitable home - and being told to accept the situation or to  leave as you could be easily replaced. Granted we did not expect the topsy-turvy time of a global recession/ depression but it happened and we have watched as the cars on Sh Zayed Road dwindle in number, as friends and colleagues are retrenched and large companies' fortunes are topsy-turvied.

Would a horse be willing to be rehoused in a derelict camel camp? I don't think so ...Would a tortoise swop his shell for a furry coat ? I don't think so ... Would a parrot swop its feathers for fish scales ? I don't think so ... Would you change your outlook on life if you were suddenly and unexpectedly given a new villa in which to live and pick up the pieces of your life and that of your family which has been on hold for almost year ? I am sure you would ...

Fortune smiled on us yesterday ... intercessionary prayers from across the globe were answered ... and our lives tospy-turvied for the better. 

We were allocated our permanent accommodation - a NEW villa ! So in the style of the Ancient Romans - it is time to celebrate. Spring has sprung and with it ...new hope!



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