31 March 2025
Happy birthday, Pappa.
It’s funny how distance shifts things. Back home, even if we’re not physically together, a birthday message or call still feels close enough. But being in a different country, on a different continent, the space between hearts feels wider. A voice note doesn’t quite capture the love. Still, I’m grateful for WhatsApp—at least there’s some thread that keeps us connected across oceans.
Lorena and I had a slow start this morning. Nothing really happens in this part of India before 10 a.m., so we slept in and took our time. She took me to a small local restaurant for brunch, where we shared a delicious thali meal. Thali is one of those beautiful constants—any time of day, it just fits.
I was reminded again how this journey continues to bring the right people into my path. Despite all the challenges, this trip has been full of blessings. Learning to receive has been a big part of it. Today, that looked like humbly accepting when Lorena paid for my meal—because I still had no cash. Gratitude doesn’t always arrive with fireworks. Sometimes it’s just a quiet, heart-full smile.
After eating, we ventured back out to the main road in search of an ATM. Being a Monday, I hoped we’d finally have luck. My body was still recovering from the past few days of dancing, walking, and little sleep, and Lorena looked just as tired. I felt bad dragging her on another cash quest, but she reassured me sweetly that she didn’t mind.
We turned the corner—and my heart dropped. The SBI ATM was closed. Again. But just a few meters down, another bank loomed ahead. We rushed over. No lock on the glass door. I slid my card in, whispering a tiny prayer. The machine buzzed to life. I heard the glorious sound of cash being counted and nearly whooped with joy.
Finally, I could pay my friend back and hail a tuk-tuk back to Haripur Kalan.
We hugged goodbye—soft sadness and full hearts. We knew we wouldn’t see each other again soon, but that didn’t make the connection any less real. Some souls walk with you for just a short time, but they leave footprints forever.
The trip back to Sai Veda felt longer than the 20km it should’ve been. Congestion, cows, and random stops stretched it into a 90-minute crawl. But once I arrived, I was ushered straight into the office for a “work meeting.” The freshly painted dining area was ready, and I could finally restart the mural.
I was also asked again about social media content. Despite a long discussion just days earlier, it felt like we were back to square one. I gently reminded the young manager of the ideas I’d already suggested—ideas like hosting creative workshops, kirtans, yoga circles. He nodded, but I could tell it wasn’t landing.
I didn’t want to waste energy looping through the same conversation again. So I respectfully asked to just begin working on the mural. At least that way, I could use my time well. I have a mountain of personal study and creative projects to tend to over the next few months—and sitting idle in uncertainty doesn’t serve me.
One brushstroke at a time, I’m finding my way back to focus, flow, and forward motion.
