Language of love

October 16, 2024 SFLeave a comment

A recent arrival at Manjula’s Library.

There’s a short chapter on ‘the language of love’ my reaction is not surprising, given the subject.

It happens ‘sometimes’. …

There’s a physical tightening of the stomach and a sort of shift in the eyes and forehead leading to the feeling of tears welling and a teeny moisturising of the eyes. I’m still making my way through the fantasy fairground tunnel of love slowly through the thick mud of grief gravy. Whilst I’ll never get to the end I need to ensure I break into the positive memory zones and rediscover tolerance.

On the way I’m reminded of previous moments of our wonderful life that I was lucky enough to share with my MAnjula.

Her love was constant (probably) and consistent built on her strengths of attentiveness and presence. I love her more as I’m share more of its layers passing through this crazy tunnel.

I realise that I’ve written this with John Lennon’s Woman playing in the background and it all started with you are my sunshine.

Lyrics below

Woman
I can hardly express
My mixed emotions at my thoughtlessness
After all, I’m forever in your debt

And woman
I will try to express
My inner feelings and thankfulness
For showing me the meaning of success

…

Woman
I know you understand
The little child inside the man
Please remember, my life is in your hands

And woman
Hold me close to your heart
However distant, don’t keep us apart
After all, it is written in the stars

…

woman
Please let me explain
I never meant to cause you sorrow or pain
So let me tell you again and again and again

I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever
I love you, yeah-yeah
Now and forever

——-

You are my sunshine

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take
My sunshine away

The other night, dear
As I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you
In my arms
When I awoke, dear
I was mistaken
So I hung my head and cried

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take
My sunshine away

Manjula’s love

September 26, 2024 SFLeave a comment

Radiated through her smile and her actions.

As I’ve paddled my boat through the grief gravy the layers of Manjula’s love become more apparent. I learn more everyday from her life.

“But when you want to gain love through success, it cannot be achieved through anything quantifiable. The people that will be crying when you depart the world are not doing so because of any number that is tied to your name. They are doing so because you were a loving partner, a caring friend, or a shepherd of kindness. You are dearly missed not because of what you’ve earned, but because of what you represented.”

Find the article here

Life’s lessons

September 24, 2024September 25, 2024 SFLeave a comment

The illusion of control.

I expect I’m doing my usual and stating the bleeding obvious.

In this unwelcome necessary extraordinary extended period of reflection and potential growth, I realise the greatest challenge.

Yes it’s about loss and grief, goes without saying, I suppose.

There’s been many but especially three (many more of course but three for listing here) . Losing someone through splitting up with a lover, second losing Manjula when she died. Now I’d count my tonic to deal with the grief as the third. It’s not loss but deep down it’s the equivalent.

So why do I put them together?

They represent times when I felt unable to do anything … actually experiencing powerlessness, learning lack of control in some situations.

That realisation comes … After a lifetime of reinforced messages that it’s up to us, we’re masters of our own destiny and in control.

The third example is having the wherewithal to support and guide Kaveri but to realise how handicapped I am in the face of a completely dysfunctional family who don’t understand or care.

Well done, Farrell — that’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into (only yesterday, Kaveri was asking about Laurel and Hardy) — But of course it’s about regaining one’s equilibrium, being positive and constructive, working out the way that works and the benefit I can gain from another of life’s lessons.

So in a different way, it does depend on how we take it and manage the situation — critically it’s in the eyes of the beholder—and mostly about our relationships.

So as I said bleeding obvious.

I send this to you because you might not believe it but you are very important

As Kaveri knows, BK

Manjula’s Memory Tree

September 21, 2024September 21, 2024 SFLeave a comment

Manjula ‘s Memory Tree was recreated for August to help commemorate what would have been her 51st Birthday.

Why a memory Tree?

Our memories and wishes have now flown back to the Ema, our wishing wall — set up with her help, years before she moved on.

Sowbaghya steamed Christmas pudding as an extra treat.

We remember Manjula constantly in many different ways.

Ema is the wishing wall found in Japanese Temples and suggested by an earlier guest.

Happy Birthday.

August 21, 2024 SFLeave a comment

I’m in the park to wish Manjula happy birthday and hang out with billet-Doux, butterflies (messengers from Madam) and too many mosquitoes!

Here’s the lovely video created by Faizan through which many old and new friends have met Manjula.

My ulterior motive on being here was to be security for the flowers and stop people stealing them.

I failed

But it can’t affect our celebration of her wonderfulness.

As I completed a video call to my son Oliver in Vancouver, —and realised I was due back to make breakfast—three sets of neighbours walking in the park saw Manjula’s poster and wanted to know her story. I’d never met them before a mom her son , another young woman and an elder.

We all shared smiles and joy.

Celebrating Manjula

August 20, 2024August 20, 2024 SFLeave a comment

We begin remembering Manjula on what would have been her 51st birthday.

Here are our current guests Ina— the stalwart— who has visited us at Mysore Bed and Breakfast, almost every year for at least a month (with a break during the pandemic) and John, also a ‘glutton for punishment’ as he’s a returner —who we haven’t yet scared away — Settling in and helping us plan our rememberances.

Vasanth, Sowbaghya and I visited the nursery to get birthday flowers for Manjula’s garden. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of Priyanka, the friendly young woman shopping there. She donated a plant, on hearing why we were there..

How cool is that?

John

made a lovely ‘short’ of our first stage. . 🤭🤪

Next …. SB arrives with the first of three, yes three cakes….

and the family hanging out in the park ….

Neighbours appreciating Manjula’s bench.

Reflective space

July 25, 2024April 12, 2025 SFLeave a comment

What is it?

An opportunity to meet to share your thoughts with other young adults (and one or two who are just young at heart)

Our monthly meeting is a way to connect and share with other open minded people ….

Reflect on what’s happening in the world, consider what the future holds, support each other, share the mistakes we’ve made and lessons we’re learned, be more active and less passive.

…and stroke a dog (Lucie) and a cat (Billet-Doux). If you’re lucky, there maybe cake.

Interested?

Check the links on this page for more information.

https://meandmycycle.com/2024/07/17/whats-to-talk-about/

https://meandmycycle.com/2023/09/11/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/

Send an email to Stephen with any questions. He’s on tours@mycycle.co

Join the WhatsApp group. https://chat.whatsapp.com/CReQUVWoPWNJlybLbPsFTi to get notice about future meetings.

We’re part of Manjula’s Mysore everything we do is in her name and memory

which provides ….

– a monthly reflective space

– individual meetings and smaller focus groups, (on request)

– access to Manjula’s library

– opportunity to suggest innovations and help implement them

Mysore Bed and Breakfast and mycycle tours.

from Stephen

The not-so-young one.

Manjula is still with us, even though her beautiful spirit has gone to find a new host.

Reflecting Again and again

Kaveri’s school innovates.

July 17, 2024 SFLeave a comment

Kaliyuvamane

A statement from the founder Ananth Kumar

We are very happy that children are enthusiastically flocking around Mr. Rajesh Madhavan, Theatre Director, a product of ‘Ninasam’ – Theatre Institute, who is staying on the campus.

Our sincere gratitude to ‘Nirdiganta’ for opting ‘Kaliyuva Mane’ for their 6 months’ programme, ‘Shala Rangavikasa’ (ಶಾಲಾ ರಂಗವಿಕಾಸ). Hope this will enhance the emotional stability, imagination and expression of children.

Please watch the video:

This is the school Kaveri attends.

It’s providing innovative ways to help the children become more confident and develop competencies to help tackle life’s challenges whilst fulfilling their potential.

It’s a great example of how Kaliyuvamane School has a different approach which goes beyond traditional schooling.

Supported by our guests.