A Day in The Desert

A very special guest essay written by my late Mother.

An angel in Landi Kotal, Pakistan (1979).

The first two weeks in May always seem to sneak up and sucker punch me right in the gut. As we all know, from the current marketing campaigns and gift guides, Mother’s Day is next weekend. The day that likes to waltz into my life and knot my fragile emotions into a special little bow. Since tomorrow is the anniversary of my Mother’s passing, and Tuesday would be her 68th birthday, I often struggle with the conflicting emotions of these three events happening all at once.

In honour of this week (26 years later), and the many ways it reminds me of the woman who made me, I’m sharing an article she wrote for an English 100 class several decades back. The following is a true story about the journey my parents took from Nepal to England in 1979 (in the back of an army truck with 23 other passengers).

This essay was written in 1994 but I only came across it five or six years ago. I was going through an old box and found a few papers titled “English 100”—which prompted an immediate call to my Dad to inquire further. He told me that after my brother and I were born, my Mom decided to take an evening class at the local college. He said she was feeling self conscious about not having post secondary education and wanted to make sure she could set a good example for my brother and I once we got older. Just writing this brings tears to my eyes.

Sharing this story feels important to me and I cannot thank you enough for giving me the space to do so. My only goal in circulating this article is to keep her words alive and her memories sparkling. My Mother didn’t have nearly a long enough life but she packed her days full of meaning and intention. With a glimpse into her beautiful mind, and film photos taken by my dear Dad, I hope you enjoy this incredible excursion.

A Day In The Desert

Written by Leisa Burkitt
Photographs by Craig Burkitt
Edited by Lauren Neufeld

Taking a trip away from home allows us to see more than just a change in scenery. Each town and city holds its own energy—some relax and refresh us, others excite and challenge us, but each are sure to help us develop new ways of thinking and being. We’re not always aware of the outlooks and attitudes we possess until we’re faced with unfamiliar surroundings and encouraged to look through different lenses. Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone also means stepping into a new frame of mind—at least that’s what I experienced spending 75 days travelling on the back of an army truck with 23 strangers.

Several years ago, my husband Craig and I decided to quit our jobs, put our belongings in storage, and travel the world for a couple of years. A portion of our trip was with a company called ‘Exodus Expeditions’. Every two weeks, they took groups of twenty-five passengers and two drivers on the back of old army trucks for two and a half month excursions. Starting in Kathmandu, Nepal and ending in London, England. Although most of our friends and family thought we were nuts, we put our names on the list and couldn’t wait to meet our new truck-mates.

Twenty-five passengers and the truck they would call home. Mom and Dad are bottom row left.