Being Fitted

Jan 29- The team became more acquainted over brunch that our young wait staff had prepared for us. Leta, Bijorn, Ursala, Margaret and Madita were an international representation of SE over the globe from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. My longtime friend and colleague, Jeanne duRivage from New Mexico days, is also on the team: mischief and merriment cannot be too far away with the two of us! All team with remarkable backgrounds and talent makes me feel humble and grateful to here.




But our day was not to be devoted to learning about one another, but to be spent shopping and being transformed into our beautiful Sari selves! Mimansa and her dear sister-in-law Deena took us on a whirlwind of shops with so many textures, colours and choices. Ready-made wear, yes, but the real excitement was about being fitted in full sari for Raja and Cecile's wedding later in the month. I cannot express to you how absolutely beautiful and gorgeous these materials were. I eventually was overtaken by a piece of deep burgandy with brilliant gold edging and accent embroidery which absolutely brought out all colour and life in my face. I know I will feel quite regal and elegant wearing this to Raja's wedding.

I am falling in love of course with India: such a mix of horror and beauty in one breath. The poverty is knee-buckling with images of begging women with babies in arms, emaciated dogs roaming the streets and constant horns blaring from insane traffic. Dodging on-coming cars and scooters from both directions is an art, which I do not feel well adapted to at all. I follow Mimansa like a duckling any time we are on the street; being on my own would be overwhelming in Bombay/Mumbai. But then being awoken at dawn by the prayers of a mosque next to our apartments in that ethereal way pulls open your heart. How can you not love India? It feels like one of those fatal love affairs in which you realize danger is afoot, but you have absolutely no control over your heart.

Arriving

Jan 28- The flights to India were effortless; long of course and tedious in the way that boredom can hone down into the bones. But effortless. The 15 hour flight from Newark to Bombay became 18 hours due to yet the 6th winter storm hitting the East Coast in 30 days. De-icing of the plane and runway- as well as later having to circle round and round Bombay to wait in que for landing- put several more hours on the trip. Heavy air traffic at night with arriving flights. But my travel buddies were good: a sweet couple from Seattle. We bunked down together in a cozy way in "our little corner of the world" for the duration.

When I got through immigration that night around 11:50pm and walked out of the baggage area I was met with a sea of literally hundreds of unfamiliar faces, mostly men’s, with placards and calling out names insistently. The Indian government has thankfully erected a metal railing which holds the taxi drivers and greeters at bay, which lessens one’s general level of activation. This gave me great heart, as 3 years ago in Bali you were greeted by the same throng, but in a very 'up close and personal' way. I walked around and around the arena but no placard for "Patti" to be found. I was feeling overwhelmed imagining some snafu on the third walkabout when I heard a female voice calling my name. I saw a sweet faced woman who had to be Mimansa, at the far back of faces. She had been unable to make her way to the front. Father Godfrey came later; we waited happily for the next flight to arrive an hour later with 4 more team members and eventually made our way to the very comfortable and well appointed Aruba Home apartments that night, around 4am. Almost 26 hours after leaving Asheville: a long journey but only the beginning of this one.

An Invitation

Sometimes life offers you an Invitation
They come in prettily wrapped packages
As well as gnarly, hateful looking glances

This one arrived in the depth of the night
With an aromatic presence and compelling question
"Will you become my Betrothed?"

Whether you accept or decline in the moment
The Question will continue to linger
Until your heart answers on it's own.

Yes. I'm yours.

Endless Preparations and Secure Bases

Leaving my home and work for a month requires attention to so many details and plannings. Endless and exhausting. While I am evermore an organized individual, I long for time to simply sit for a moment to contemplate this journey. The greatest challenge by far has been finding the right person to house sit for my elder cat, Kitty Woo. While it seemed like a 'done deal' 10 months ago, as time got nearer one person after another fell through. A good friend who volunteered last year backed out at the last minute, leaving an opportunity to find resources where it felt like there were none. I do recommend HouseCarers.com which is a fine little operation that links homeowners to housesitters. It is up to you to do all the time consuming actions of interviewing, calling references and doing background checks. But it does have many good choices. Especially for such a premier place as Asheville, NC. Happily, with only 9 days to go, I have settled on a lovely woman recently retired from teaching who is game for the adventure. She needs a retreat base and my home is just perfect for that! She flies in next week, we meet and I turn over my keys to her!

That is allowing me to feel much more deeply the impact of what I am choosing to do. My Dream Group this last Wednesday ended in a circle of love and hugs around me, wishing me well on the trip. This sense of connection, security and love is just what I need to venture forth into a part of the world yet unknown. Being a seasoned traveler to 3rd world countries doesn't mean I don't feel trepidation as I leave. Not at all. It only means I have taken chances before, stepped off planes in lands never seen with unfamiliar currencies and languages, been on buses deep in the interior jungles of Central America as a lone white-skinned woman, caved down into the open maws of the earth. Having that secure circle of love and encouragement allows me to journey out into the mystery ... to take the risk of showing up as I am out there in unknown lands... and to return to this home base of love and support.

I'm beginning to anticipate getting to India and the work to be done. I imagine the stories I will hear from the therapists and administrators of schools, clinics and orphanages will be life changing. I know some will be difficult things to hear and witness, though I am a 'seasoned' therapist of 33 yrs. I'm asking for support from friends and loved ones: to hold this time for me and those I will work with in your hearts and minds.