The morning after the reception.
Timings are followed exactly (9.00 to 9.30 am) unlike the night before when things hadn’t started almost two hours after the advertised time.
The knot is tied and I’ve poured milk, gently thrown rice and had tiffin.
Behind the scenes in the choultry or wedding hall is the sort of place where Manjula started working.
Thankfully it’s filling out and I recognise a couple of people, so correct day and place.
I’m in a new phase in addition to visiting places where I’ve already been with Manjula, like many of the central London attractions, I now find myself wishing she was with me in new situations.
These are critical events in connecting community.
It’s getting late and nothings happened yet. I haven’t planned this properly and should have eaten. I might beat a hasty retreat.
I’ll be back in the morning.
Tomorrow Lakshmi and Sunil tie the knot. Today at reception, only soft drinks, it’s gifts and photos.
Just had a video call from Lucie, Sowbhaghya and Satish to wish me a happy birthday.
I have swam in it, swallowed it, fought it, opened my arms to it, shrivelled from it, tolerated it, hated it,.. It’s hit me like a personal tsunami, been wishy washy, sticky beyond treacle, invaded my brain to make it fuzzy and cracked open my tentative comfort zones. I know it’s a lifelong friend I have to accept it. It’s equal with and probably surpasses the combined effect of all the worse times in my life and for the first time uncovered real solid regrets.
It’s a gravy train that doesn’t bring benefits or maybe it does.
My heart was broken by losing Manjula, I covered it up and held it close but now I’m beginning to feel able to open my heart again. So there are positives to discover and learning to reveal.
I now love Manjula even more and in ways that I couldn’t imagine. I’m tentatively beginning to be kind to myself.
Part two of this series of postings is the heart
Thank you for your support during this horrendous journey.
I love you Manjula
It’s National car washing day.
When we follow the tradition of warriors asking the gods to ‘bless’ their weapons.
Now it’s for all our tools and especially bikes, cycles and cars.
More young people aged from seven through to twenty-nine are befriending me.
The latest are the excitable cycling duo of Yashodhar and Srivaastav.
Who saw me walking Lucie and asked me to wait while they rushed home and brought me these pictures.
Complete with carefully designed envelope.
How nice.
Vanshika and her younger sister Samiksha with their gifts from Manjula
Vanshika was the first to borrow books from the library. She was worried that her English wasn’t perfect, well it’s much better than this Yorkshireman’s.
I enjoy meeting new people for enlightening conversations. We cover an incredible range of subjects.
I’m regularly contacted by young people who arrange to drop in and talk and often borrow books from Manjula’s library.
Thank you, from happy old man
Latest delivery to the children’s section.
The board books in the centre use more appropriate local images for the traditional English rhymes still shared with ‘early years’ children in India.
What do you think?
I’ve ordered extra as gifts from Manjula to some of the children in the immediate locality.
two recent visitors were overcome, loving our house, its vibe and the rich mix of art so I thought I’d share a bit more with you of Manjula and my creation in these videos
Me and MYCycle 