This time of year brings all kinds of traditions forward. Here in Calcutta the sisters pull out all the stops. This has been Holy week and every day we have had something very special to look forward to. During Holy mass on Thursday the Priest brought in 12 men and humbly washed their feet. It was very moving. On Friday there was a 2 hour long mass. Saturday morning at Prem Dan the sister dressed in homemade costumes and reenacted the entire Stations of the cross for the men and women there. We followed them along as they sang and read and acted out each station in different locations around Prem Dan… It was very precious. Saturday night they held a 3 hour long vigil. This morning after attending Easter mass I went down to visit Mother Theresa tomb. Many of the sisters were there and it was another teary moment as I watched them kiss her tomb so lovingly. They truly loved her and honor her work. She lives on still with them. The Sister are angels on earth who give everything to the service of others.
Today at Prem Dan was full of excitement. Just for Easter the beds were made up in special Easter bunny sheets that the said “Happy Ea ster” all over them…. And yes, that is how it was spelled! Upstairs for the ladies that are a little more mobile we turned on the music and before you knew it Emily, Mary and I had a full on dance party going, even the sisters started dancing. I learned some new moves from a 75 year old Bengali woman that puts my famous “booty’ dance to shame. Spirits were so high and everyone looked so beautiful in their special new Easter dresses and sarees.
Emily and I took a special lady Artuna for a walk in the garden today. She hasn’t been outside in probably a year. She doesn’t mingle with the other women on the sun porch because she is shy and they bully her so today was very special for her and she actually cried with that happiness. I picked a flower from the garden and put it in her hair and then took a photo and showed it to her…… biggest smile imaginable!
During our tea break an Eagle flew into the garden and landed on the fence. I couldn’t believe it and jumped up and took pictures with my cell phone. I tried to explain that the Eagle is special to Americans as its our nations bird and a rare thing to witness….It did make me think of America and how incredibly blessed we are to live in a country so beautiful with so many opportunities.
And then to put the icing on the cake of my week, “baby” our 14 year old girl that had pretty much given up let me feed her a whole plate of food today. She even sat up and reached for her water bottle. I was so happy I squeezed both her cheeks like a grandma would do to you and she cracked a coy little smile.
The very best part of today was hearing both Cameron and Michaela’s voice. This is the first big holiday I have ever been apart from them and my heart hurts for it. I told both kids that next year I will bring them to Calcutta to work and share this experience with me. I can’t think of a more fitting way to spend Easter.
Here I am Easter Sunday following mass standing at Mother Theresa's Tomb....very humbling!
An Eagle lands in the garden on Easter Sunday.
Arutna's first walk in the sunshine in a year. I put a flower in her hair and she cried.
Emily and Artuna
The Sisters dressed up for the Stations of the cross in hand made costumes...Precious!!
Holy Friday Vigil
"She doesn’t mingle with the other women on the sun porch because she is shy and they bully her so today was very special for her and she actually cried with that happiness"
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to read this. All these women dealing with suffering and yet bullying still takes place? In some ways I can try to grasp an understanding of it, in other ways it just leaves me completely baffled at human nature.
Namaste