Step Father and teenage son are having a conversation. They’ve recently come together as the guy married his mum.
They’re bonding. Talking about how the father tries to manage challenges himself and not let them in to help.
He doesn’t want to feel a burden to them but it has the opposite effect as they then worry about him.
That’s a trigger for me.
That rings bells.
I’m too independent and realise I could have shared more with MAnjula, that in turn that helped me miss that she did want to be a burden through her illness and all it entailed.
I’m sorry MAnjula. You were never a burden. I love you and would manage anything for you.
I freaked out at you for not taking your tablets. That was about my worries, stress feeling powerless to not be able to help you from deterioration.
There’s so much I would and should have done differently.
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.
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.
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.
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
Me and MYCycle 