Trying For Something

Every night at dinner we do highs and lows, which is where we all stand up and say the high and low point of our day. This parallels the way I feel about India in general. There seems to be no in-between. You are either participating in some of the most meaningful experiences of your life, or witness to some of the most devastating. I have been reading “Eat Pray Love” while I am here (I know, how annoying am I to be reading this while in India?) and my favorite quote from this book so far has been “This is a good sign, having a broken heart, it means we have tried for something”. Even though it is difficult to witness some of the scenes in the colonies, or to hear some of the children’s heart wrenching stories, it means that we care, that we love the people we encounter, otherwise we would feel indifferently. We are here trying for something.

To give and receive love from a person who has been dealt the cruel hand of leprosy will forever leave it’s marks on our hearts and theirs. These people have been outcast, and disregarded, but they get to share themselves with us, which gives them back their worth. This kind of love is so rare; it is like discovering a new part of your heart.

We get to see the children at their best, learning to read, and help them to have a feeling of accomplishment. When you see them have that “ah-ha” moment, there is no greater success. The work we do with and for the children will have the greatest impact. India has taught me many lessons, some of which were expected, many of them were not. We came with the intention of giving back, to be able to come home and tell our friends and family of our work and experiences, but India has it’s own plans. We receive more in gifts of love and kindness than we could ever hope to give, and the experiences we have here can never fully be shared with those who have not visited this place and met it’s people. I will take away much more than an elephant inside an elephant, or lice, or intestinal parasites, I will bring home memories and relationships that will be with me the rest of my life.

தி க்ரியடேஸ்ட் லேச்சொன் எவர் லீர்நெத் இஸ் ஜஸ்ட் டு லவ் அண்ட் பே லோவேத் இன் ரெடுக்ன்