High

Out with Simon yesterday, he asked me how I was managing my grief, after MAnjula had passed to the other side. (Not his words).

We acknowledged grief never goes, is unique and changes, as we do.

Today’s reflection

A wonderful book. The little girl puts her heart in a bottle to protect it when she ‘loses’ someone she loves.

High

Full Lyrics

When you’re close to tears, remember
Someday it’ll all be over
One day we’re gonna get so high
Though it’s darker than December
What’s ahead is a different colour
One day we’re gonna get so high

And at the end of the day, remember the days
When we were close to the edge
And we wonder how we made it through, and at
The end of the day, remember the way
We stayed so close ’til the end
We’ll remember it was me and you

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

Don’t you think it’s time you started
Doing what we always wanted?
One day we’re gonna get so high
‘Cause even the impossible
Is easy when we got each other
One day we’re gonna get so high

And at the end of the day, remember the days
When we were close to the edge
And we wonder how we made it through, and at
The end of the day, remember the way
We stayed so close ’til the end
We’ll remember it was me and you

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

And at the end of the day, remember the days
When we were close to the edge
And we wonder how we made it through, and at
The end of the day, remember the way
We stayed so close ’til the end
We’ll remember it was me and you

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

‘Cause we are gonna be
Forever, you and me
You will always keep me
Flying high in the sky of love

We’re gonna get so high
So high, so high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high, so high
So high, so high

So high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high

So high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high
So high, so high, so high
So high, so high

…

A selection of memories

I’m paddling in the tunnel of love layered above me and through the grief gravy.

A mix of happy memories and sadness.

It’s part of life.

Stephen

A park that MAnjula and I loved.

We’d be ‘young’ lovers here walking, resting, being attentive and present for each other.

It’s now a short cycle ride from no 179

Here, I’m just opposite what might have been the first all India radio broadcaster.

These pics do not show the park at its best but I’m resting!

Who’s the very young guy who dive bombed my photo?

I’m not old, right? Or so I keep getting told by those who care.

An adventure

The three musketeers went into the city to negotiate for a new piece of art we’d seen the day before

Their mission was to get a good discount on the asking price

They were a great success🙂

The winning Musketeers are Kaveri with her two new friends: Naimishambha and Pragathi, lovely, confident girls.. daughters of Deepak who works with our friend Florian.

They’re seen here with Maïlis, Sowbhagya and Stephen

It’s got pride of place in our new lounge, highlighting Manjula with her pals Lucie and Ganesh

Billet-Doux had to get in on the act.

Behold beauty in so many ways.

The latest wonderful creation has arrived from Aadirika aka —Mostly beautiful Maya— (check Instagram) has now created three fab memory portraits of MAnjula

Our first
Second

All to be found at Manjula’s Mysore.

Out third

Thank you Aadirika, for your intimate understanding of what MAnjula meant to me and representing our wonderful life here in Mysore.

Who can you spot in this latest portrait?

…

Manjula (obviously), Lucie our first dog of the family of over 15 years, Kaveri, walking Luca — our latest addition and in the tree. —- Billet-Doux my sweet (love) letter sent by Manjula, a few years ago. Plus the dragonfly and old man with his head in the clouds.

…

Did you find them ?

Welcome to our new home

and another chapter for our family community.

Complete with Mangoes.

We’ve been here a week.

and visited Depth and Green

Nearly everyday. My fave drink is Beetroot, ginger lemonade and we all like the veggie burger, pasta, pizza and apple pie! When they’re available.

But very sorry to let Gingee go …

Two young dogs had proven too much.

And Kaveri set out on a ‘new foot’ with a bath for Lucca

Breakfast is ready.

We’re on a slow start with Kurt and Loe returning to visit from Belgium (with a third member of family) our very first guests.

Last evening we even had games night.

Thanks for helping relaunch us.

…

Manjula and Lucie in their varied forms are beginning to settle into their new home. Dragonfly and pennants are already here with a dramatic new episode to their story.

More later.

Busy first day of February

An annual treat which passes through our community.

First stages of moving house after Florian came round to help plan.

Kaveri combining the Indian love of noodles and everything K.

Maïlis and Sowbaghya followed up Maria’s Italian treat with more delicious pasta and fab salad.

Yesterday we visited Radhika and her new baby in hospital. I’m not allowed to post photos but mum and baby are doing great.

Remembering MAnjula

The house hosts her presence in every room (and outside).

Sowbaghya and I have kept the Bed and Breakfast as she envisioned it and even have a library named after her.

Our children’s and education section.

Our guests love meeting her. she even gets mentioned in our guest book

images of MAnjula and Lucie decorating the fan switch!!

At least once a year I bring out this image in memory of my beautiful MAnjula. It’s just for a few days. I started by cycling her around Mysore, at other times she’ll be in the memorial garden we created for her in the park or resting in our drive. Otherwise she’s stored in the Garage.

Unfortunately, you can’t please all the people all time. Some people you never can.

My insensitive neighbour complained that the image of MAnjula was outside and should be indoors. It’s a Hindu rule. I know there’s no such rule or if there is it’s often not followed. People remember their loved ones with posters around the streets or images in the newspaper.

He represents the brahminical elitism that can sometimes rear its ugly head (read your ‘games people play’). He’s even complained about the boys and girls sitting on the park benches that I’ve installed. It’s as if the Firangi (foreigner) is responsible for people’s behaviour. His prejudices are mildly entertaining but we generally ignore him.

PS

As AI tells us on the internet

The saying “Guest is God” (Atithi Devo Bhava in Sanskrit) is a core principle in Indian culture, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and treating guests with respect. While the saying is rooted in tradition and spiritual significance, the reality is that it’s not always a practical or realistic expectation, especially in modern life. 

You could say that ….

Love

One of the first pictures Kaveri (aged eight) created after she came to the house and felt MAnjula’s love

Marginalian

Comes up trumps again with great literary, political and philosophical connections.

I like her quote from Simone de Beauvoir

What then is love? Not much, not much; I come back to this idea. Sensitivity, imagination, fatigue, and this effort to depend on another; the taste for the mystery of the other and the need to admire… What is worthwhile, is friendship… this profound mutual confidence between [two people], and this joy of knowing that the other exists.

“The ancient Greeks, in their pioneering effort to order the chaos of the cosmos, neatly taxonomized them into filial love (the kind we feel for siblings, children, parents, and friends), eros (the love of lovers), and agape(the deepest, purest, most impersonal and spiritual love).”

I decided that we would continue Manjula’s sunshine goodness, sharing her love, through events and activities for young people.

The most obvious example is our continuing support for Kaveri.

Kaveri’s most recent art from this weeks summer camp
She also leaves me little messages.

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.

We love Lucie.