The last day I was in India was full of contrasts once again. In the morning, I got word from my friend Manoharan, that he was coming in from Katpadi and bringing his cousin "Jay" to meet me. Everything went perfectly. They arrived together and Jay speaks very good English, so he helped with translation as it was needed.
The restaurant at Woodlands is wonderful, and has all of my favorites all day long...they have itly and sambar and masala dosai almost any time of day...and they have Bounvita which is a lot like hot chocolate...so we just went into the restaurant and enjoyed passing the time sitting off in an out of the way corner...talking and talking..catching up on things and sharing our interests.
Some of the waiters were quite curious about the connection between the three of us, and seemed to enjoy our reunion, leaving us to spend the time without interruption during their busy lunch hours...and even taking time out to take our photo.
As a thirteen year old friend in 1967, Manoharan was a playful, curious and thoughtful young boy. Now Manoharan is a wonderful, kind, thoughtful man and somehow our lives have managed to touch again.
Clearly, for both Manoharan and me, the memory of the eight months when we knew each other in 1967, were important and treasured. The sense of the passing of time (40 years) and the strength of the specialness of the connection seemed to be a very important part of my getting ready to come home - to a home with my mom not there.
I had the sense that Manoharan can remind me that even when you don't get to see someone, or touch someone, or talk to someone, that the wonderful connections in our memories remain there and are available to recall.
This awareness of my ability to remember people and to feel some vivid sense of connection is so helpful to me as I get closer to returning home, I am eternally grateful for this insight.
The awareness of the preciousness of this current moment is equally vivid and I am also grateful for this insight and reminder.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Mano, Sara & Jay - last day in India
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1 comment:
Dear Sara: I've so enjoyed reading about your journey and reflections. Your insights have resonated with my spirit. It is so nice to be reminded that connections can be valued and present in our hearts and minds even if we can't be in each other's presence. Blessings to you and wishing you many more God-gifted days. Jennifer x
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