Naveen’s very first time, didn’t he do well?Can I come too?
Each year we usually bring guests to do the honours. Last year it was the old man, the year before we didn’t do the puja at all, as Manjula had left us.
We use any and every opportunity to recognise and remember, what would have been Manjula’s 48th Birthday is extra special.
On monday afternoon, 23rd August (postponed from Saturday due to a curfew) we have open-house for friends to drop-in for a drink and cake or sweets, to visit the garden we’ve just planted, see Manjula’s two painted portraits and have a chat.
We’ve now got two paintings by Cinderella, more here and hereKaran a student at CAVA Art College is creating something to entertain.Tom and Amy helping outby kindly sponsoring the meals for the elderly people living in the Ashram (not the children’s home!)Tanuja, one of the MyCycle Directors, helping plan the garden with a little shopping tripIt’ll look better in a couple of years 😉planting a special tree for ManjulaSowbhaghya with her new T shirt
Just in case
the party girls get everywhere
Satish, MyCycle Director, nearly working.earlier photo (we’ve had no international guests for over a year) of one of the three benches in the park, As we reach the end of the day on her birthday it’s been raining for hours. So an earlier photo.
Today Manjula would have been 48 and it’s yet another reason to celebrate and thank her for the time we were together (we still are).
Manjula sent messages with her love and for me to know all is well on her soul’s journey to her new life. She’s most definitely not a ‘hungry ghost’.
Here’s a video message from my love. Previously we’ve also heard from her via messengers
Manjula captured my heart
We’ve done a few things that Manjula would like and maybe make her giggle. Like the remembering garden. we’ve just planted in the park opposite our house.
She’s left audio and video recordings which I’m using to help write our story. We’ll release some of the videos in 2022
So what’s a hungry ghost? One of the tales that will be featured in our story, to be published before we reach what would have been her 50th birthday.
My friend Zetta posted about a funeral today Where they played: How long will I love you? Sung by Ellie Goulding. So I listened to it
Today, before a small piano concert at a friends house here in Mysore I was introducing Manjula to a few more people.
Yes, I’ll introduce Manjula anywhere and everywhere. I was talking about the new garden we were creating to help celebrate her.
I explained that it’s over two years ago that she died, sometimes that feels a long time ago, others as if it was yesterday.
I know there is no limit to my unconditional everlasting love and liked the song.
…
How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you And longer if I can How long will I need you? As long as the seasons need to Follow their plan
How long will I be with you? As long as the sea is bound to Wash up on the sand
How long will I want you? As long as you want me to And longer by far How long will I hold you? As long as your father told you As long as you can
How long will I give to you? As long as I live through you However long you say
How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you And longer if I may
How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you
Manjula had some beautiful shoes but her feet were so tiny finding someone they would fit was a real challenge.
Well I’ve found another Cinderella, or at least a lovely young woman who also has teeny feet.
It’s so fitting (ha ha) that the artist who has connected so well with MAnjula and now painted two beautiful portraits should be the one to take her shoes.
I’m so pleased to find this happy solution.
Farrell Factoid
It’s taken two years as most Indian women don’t have such teeny feet.
My feet are also quite small at six and a half, not that anyone has ever offered me small shoes. 🤭