On my love for MAnjula.
Category: our story
Precious permanent memories
Maïlis has been with us now for almost two months. She’s really got into Mysore, become part of our little community and created a wide range of exciting experiences for herself.
I was invited by her wonderful new friends Pravallika and Cade to visit and find out where they’re learning to carve.
At this family workshop they’re famous for carving significant statues and especially Rama for the new Ayodya Temple
But there was a great big surprise waiting for me.
Maïlis as her very first project had carved our Lucie in stone
How wonderful is that?
Just one month ago Lucie gave up, she’d had too much after managing so well with a painful hip and difficulties with her kidneys. She was strong and brave and her gentle friendly nature had helped her connect with thousands of our guests.
… and a cat
A fantastic image of our precious family member which now has pride of place in our upstairs lounge.
We’re all impressed.
Reflecting again
What a fab group from Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Germany, UK, USA, France….
Sharing their perspectives and savouring our similarities and differences.
Happy Birthday
or what does it say on the cake?
For our other member of the family
And again two days later.
made me think …
This image relates to a dog a cat and a woman in my life. All of them my queens.
Manjula lit up our lives, even now when her presence is much more mystical.
She wanted to return as a tree to shelter and support us.
The physical manifestation is now just the man and the cat and still thrilling.
Lucie still with us
Sowbaghya is so happy this morning.
Lucie appeared in a dream
She was missing so SB was looking for her.
She saw Lucie appearing in the distance amongst the gods but disappears as she approaches.
So we both went out looking for her in a field but couldn’t find her again.
SB wakes up calling Lucie
We love Lucie who’s still with us.
Lucie lives in our hearts and memories
We love Lucie and she loves us.
the biggest buddies: Manjula, Lucie and Ina
I think it was some time coming but she persevered and we had that bit longer together.
This was expected and I realise now that it had been for some time. I left the republic day celebrations with Kaveri at her school to catch up with Kaveri at the vet hospital after Mailis our guest from north France was kind enough to help.
Life was full of friends, and as I first thought a cheeky owl on our evening walks. We have lovely images of the girls from our rich Indian family
Whether it’s that special woman in our life that we love or our canine companion of 15 years, how can we ever anticipate and of course never replace. We cherish our lovely memories and deal with the heartbreak.
We returned to the field where Lucie was buried amongst other loved pets to do a Puja to help her soul continue on its journey to its next manifestation. We hope to meet again.
In times past
Lucie invaded the single room dwelling where Kaveri used to visit her grandparents
Its been four years since Lucie has had problems with her Liver, early days one and two
Billet Doux adopted me but before I was able to introduce her to Lucie there was a sudden second invasion. The two became friends, but not the closest, you’ll understand.
I return from visiting Europe to be greeted one last time, both Manjula and Lucie gave a wonderful welcome, now there’s the addition of Kaveri, Sowbaghya and Radhika.
so many birthdays
August was the time of endless eating cake, to celebrate Manjula’s birthday and since first opening we welcomed Ina our family member from Australia, who would visit every year.
We never knew Lucie’s actual birthday but it somehow didn’t matter (she’s a dog!) as she shared absolutely everybody’s.
Even in the midst of the mayhem of Manjula’s Library Lucie take it all in her stride and acts as a calming influence
I actually think it was Lucie taking over, and maybe Billet-Doux was biding her time.
She might however choose not to come on holiday again. She’s loved visiting Wayanad and Kannur, a real love for Kerala and her local friends. Varnum has become a favoured place for Lucie and the girls, and not just because of the water!
She’d always get in the middle of things even on the days when Sowbaghya asked the gods to bless the tools
And of course on holidays we organised for Kaveri’s break from school
Lucie (the old woman) would also join the young things to reflect at our monthly meetings
And in our dreams
It might be time to commission another painting.
PS
Who’d have believed it, the painting wish has taken a different form.
Lucie
Lucie departed on Sunday 26th January
That afternoon we buried her in a lovely field
Today we returned to do 11th day puja to help her spirit find its new home
Then lunch back at home
It’s very sad to lose such a wonderful friend, I miss her—-
—-being at home when I return, going on walks together and just being in my life.
Billet-Doux also misses Lucie
She’s such a famous dog with everyone asking about her.
Life without Lucie
I’m in tears as I prepare to walk to the photo shop. Sowbaghya and I have sorted through many photos
We want photos for outside the house and the planned puja — as many people are asking where’s Lucie?
As I set out I pass her leads and then notice her water needs filling.
Our special friend
My dear Lucie.
We met when someone had dumped you, your brother and sister at the end of our street.
We’ve had so much fun together. Almost from the very first moment I came to live in Mysore.
It didn’t take long for you to realise where the kindly Firangi, — who fixed your skin problems and regularly fed you — came from, so you all followed.
The man who lived downstairs was less keen on the black — India street dog and her siblings— setting up home under our tree. This was… Exactly where you came to rest on Saturday when you were feeling ill and went back to that same tree.
We’d chase and roll around in the park, with Vis another street dog becoming a friend.
In time I found homes for your brother and sister. You had the op at People for Animals, with a neat ‘bite’ taken out of your ear so you wouldn’t be re-captured and spayed again. (When I first visited India I wondered why many street dogs had a bite taken out of an ear. — it wasn’t another dog! ) 🤭
You became part of our wonderful family
Whenever neighbours saw me without you, they’d want know where you were. I even went to a hotel miles away on the other side of the city where a waiter asked where you were! He also lived in Siddarthanagar
It’s not surprising that you were so well known as we walked through the layout four times every day.
Now I have to go to the bakery, cafe and chai shop on my own.
When Manjula’s spirit moved on we had a lovely portrait painted of you both
I miss you both so much, hope you find each other, in your new lives. I’ll catch up with you eventually but in the meantime, I’ll now introduce you and share you both with even more people.
Friends from around the world are sending their love and sharing their memories.
Billet-Doux is still looking for you here and expects our walk last thing at night with the owl flitting above us
Missing you. Our life was ….
What a Wonderful family and friends we had. .
Until the next time
love
from us all and especially Sowbaghya, Billet-Doux, Kaveri, and Stephen.
Me and MYCycle 