Friday

Today was a hard day. Most of the volunteers left this morning. We had a challenge from the coordinators to share part of our blog, or journal, or just a thought with the rest of the group and to express why we thought we came to India, or what we brought this place of magic. I was re-reading my blog entries yesterday during lunch and got distracted by Face Book, It does that to me. Then I got back on my computer during our break time and was on Face Book again when the Internet went skitso again. My FB status read, “I know the moon is the same size, no matter where you are, but to me, it seems more full in India”. I decided to elaborate on that. I discovered that the reason the moon is more full here is that my heart is more full here. I am filled with compassion and love for these strangers whom I barely know and cannot communicate with very well. We are all connected, to the earth, to the moon, and to each other. I will forever be in awe of the fact that I have had the chance to experience this overwhelming feeling. Even though the moon is never changing it does change based on our own perspective. Each of our eyes see things differently because of the windowpanes of experiences placed in front of us. I think bringing my perspectives to Rising Star not only has shown others another side of life, but I learned mountains from the other volunteers, the patients and the childrens perspectives. Each one much different than mine. I hope I can remember to see things from other people’s perspectives the rest of my life. It makes me happy!

After hugging everyone goodbye, the six of us who stayed piles in the medical van an traveled to a colony I had not yet been to, Moot. Nothing could have prepared me for that little pocket of heaven dropped in the middle of the Indian wilderness. There are only seven people living in that place, but the joy that filled them felt like it was coming from one million people. Jay raj ran out of his doorway with a laugh that was booming and from his gut. His smile could only be compared to the happiness in his own eyes. We moved from house to house to tell the patients the Dr. was there. One lady, had lost both legs, one above the knee and one below, She had the build of a seven year old little girl, the face of a corpse, but she stole my heart instantly with her sparkly smile and talk of feeding the birds every morning outside of her door. Another man, Krishina, had a little skateboard type contraption, because he too had no legs. His hands were merely stumps, but it didn’t keep him from building up the Jenga tower. Yes, that’s right, we played Jenga. What a sight! We danced and sang and took photos, laughing with the “untouchables”. They loved the Christmas songs we all know. Jingle bells was a favorite since a few of us had jingly anklets around our perfect feet. I left feeling full of joy and inspired to be even more optimistic about EVERYthing.

After a community pot of Raman noodles and great conversation, back at the elephant house, we were off to play time. It was just as perfect as always. Dinner on the roof was Chipote, the BEST Indian meal! After tossing out my banana leaf I headed down the stairs and spent family time with my girls. I felt like such a part of that family that night. Like just another one of the girls, with braids and bindi makeup, reading Belle and the Beast and singing Amazing Grace. The walk back to the Elephant house was peaceful and I was full of thoughts, on my own. Luckily I didn’t have any run ins with Cobras or Scorpions.