Pilgrim Soldier

Today is the most important day of the year for Latvians as the 18th November is Independence Day when they celebrate the first independence from 1918. It is especially important because this first period of self rule lasted only 22 years before the Soviet troops reoccupied the country. This occupation lasted over 50 years before a renewal of independence in 1991.

For us though in the Smith household this day calls for a double celebration as at 5:58am on 18th November 2003 Sian Zoe Smith entered the world. So tomorrow our wonderful, precocious, strong-willed and beautiful little girl reaches the ripe old age of 3. It is frightening to think how quickly she is growing up and how many things have changed over just the last year, but she gives us so much joy that all the hardships are more than worth it.