and helping her soul spirit or atma continue her journey
Plus celebrating her, the night before, in the pub
Remembering Manjula
Author: SF
A YIndian, Yorkshire by birth and Indian by marriage. Originally from the UK, I've now lived in Mysore, South India for over ten years with my beautiful wife Manjula. MeandMycycle is about the ups, downs and ups of our life in Mysore and our creations: Mysore Bed and Breakfast and MyCycle Tours.
Manjula gives again
Vanshika and her younger sister Samiksha with their gifts from Manjula
Vanshika was the first to borrow books from the library. She was worried that her English wasn’t perfect, well it’s much better than this Yorkshireman’s.
Reflective Space
I enjoy meeting new people for enlightening conversations. We cover an incredible range of subjects.
I’m regularly contacted by young people who arrange to drop in and talk and often borrow books from Manjula’s library.
Thank you, from happy old man
Manjula’s library.
Latest delivery to the children’s section.
The board books in the centre use more appropriate local images for the traditional English rhymes still shared with ‘early years’ children in India.
What do you think?
I’ve ordered extra as gifts from Manjula to some of the children in the immediate locality.
Kaveri
The name of a goddess, river and a bossy little girl.
She’s the same age as Poppy my granddaughter.
She comes round to paint when Sowbhagya is here so there is no misunderstanding.
We don’t want people wondering what the old white guy is doing with a little Indian girl which for me, a qualified trained social worker, is a sad reflection on our societies west and east.
Found them
Today’s panic was that I’d misplaced shirts, shorts and especially trousers.
I fly to the U.K. next week, my first trip for over two years. Here I wear shorts and T shirts unless I’m formal when I wear kurta and pyjama.
As it will be variable weather and much cooler moving to really cold in the U.K. I need shirts and trousers but I couldn’t find them. We’ll know I have.
Next shoes.
welcome to our home
two recent visitors were overcome, loving our house, its vibe and the rich mix of art so I thought I’d share a bit more with you of Manjula and my creation in these videos
Little rituals
For almost 2 1/2 years I’ve received daily iPhone notifications —like the one below —reminding me to switch the water on and off. This is to pump water from the sump to the header tank and for the house to not run dry (a common system where we live). The messages were set up by Tom after we realised I needed a reminder. Without Manjula’s physical presence in the house it wouldn’t get done.
MAnjula collected coins in a make up bag. Each morning I take out ten rupees for my morning tea break while walking with Lucie. Thanks Manj.
Lucie waits patiently at the top of the stairs for me to go backwards and forwards getting ready to walk. At the last moment she peers in manjulas library as a reminder to check that I’ve bolted the balcony door.
I look in and smile at two of the many portraits of Manjula that fill the house.
Occasionally placing a T light in this wonderful engagement present brought all the way from Australia
All pieces of the jigsaw of our life. The missing pieces’ essence is present in every one of them.
I’ve chosen to deal with my grief companion head-on. Others will do it differently. Who knows what’s the best way, our experiences are completely individual. The pain is there, whatever but I try to minimise the suffering.
I share Manjula’s story wherever and whenever I can. In the dentists waiting room, even the treatment chair, during the morning tea break, handing out cards inviting people to appreciate our garden.
It’s important to me.
She probably thinks I’m ridiculous. 🤭
Last night was my second appearance at an open mic. MAnjula did get a mention (that’s the point) it was three intertwined love stories. But I ran out of time. The story of my life. If reincarnation and reconnecting souls is true, maybe I’ll have more time with Manjula’s sweet kind soul.
Manjula gives again.
Things I’ve learned from Manjula
A first cycle tour after a loooong gap and what a lovely couple Diana and Josia, from Mexico and the US respectively, currently working in Chennai.
In my attempts to be the wise owl I passed on the two key pieces of advice of the many things I’ve learned from Manjula.
Be there for your partner, we’ve heard so much about presence there’s a risk of overkill but when I read this (see below) it seemed so pertinent. Our love means we should be present for the other.
The second piece of advice is to prepare for the end. In terms of helping each other plan and as part of that decide if you want to be resuscitated. It doesn’t matter how old you are.
Article here about older people and their plans for ‘letting them die.’ How young is too young?
An insight from earlier this year.
Me and MYCycle 