My Last Week

All the girl volunteers with Frieda and her granddaughter went on a picnic last Thursday when we had a holiday from school. Everyone cooked all morning and we had such a feast! We drove past Selaqui right up against the Himalaya foothills to a pretty forested area with shade. It was really nice! That night we went to Deepak’s new house with leftovers and met the British woman who built the house. We all had a really nice time!

I regret more than anything not being here for Easter. Ratan said something in devotions the other day when I said something about this thing they could do for Easter in regards to my stations of the cross stuff and he said with a sad smile, “ But mam, you won’t be here.” I am going to miss so much that day! I almost started crying right then and there. On my walk home after, I did let tears come in the dark. I hope I don't beat myself up too much thinking I COULD have stretched a day or two longer in India.

On Good Friday, the day Jesus died for us, the boys presented our stations of the cross to everyone. When I told Ratan I had to fly out on Easter because of visa stuff, he said “Mam, just tell them it rained.” Oh if only that would work. The Good Friday service was awesome. The worship at Shishya doesn't compare to anything else.

Two boys in my project class with Nibha were fighting the other day. I had them stay after dismissal and made them apologize to each other and then shake hands. One boy tugged on his ears and said sorry. I saw that as well earlier that day. Maybe that’s what some do to say sorry?

The moon rising one day this week was awesome. There was clear sky above with stars with thunderclouds surrounding the valley. You could see lightning right to the side and below the moon as it rose so bright and big above the clouds. It looked incredible!

Swaliya, one of my 7th class students invited the teachers and me for food one last time so we took the crazy school bus in! It was fun! We stopped by Sabiya’s to say goodbye one last time and insisted we stay for tea… and she gave us henna too. People just beg you to stay longer and come back! I thought I could pull off seeing her one last time after that but it didn’t work out. Ruth and Kiran had Liz and I over for dinner and we had Chicken curry. It was great to just relax with them and talk. They are amazing people. Linds and Sonu also had us over for dinner and had great conversation as well.

My last day of school was Thursday. I came into the school on a whirlwind in November and I’m leaving on one. They called a special assembly with the whole school and thanked me. I got a school magazine and a big round of applause. I feel so appreciated here. I feel like it’s the most I have ever been. My kids finished the ABC flip books for Deepak’s slum school. I hope it works out good! On Thursday night Kiran and Ruth had Liz and I over for dinner. It was really nice to just talk with them in a different way. More relaxed with good conversation with chicken curry and chai was nice :)

So it’s wheat harvesting time. The boys wake up early before school and work the fields then again in the afternoon from 4-7. Shishya has 10 fields to harvest! I got out there today and carried some wheat piles to be threshed. In the midst of all that I lost my Alaska ring. Two days before I leave I lose it! It’s okay. It was a good place to lose it I guess. My India footprint!

The day before I left I had to finish up some last minute lesson plans. Frieda took all the volunteers for ice cream and we went into the jungle and ate them! We drove a little loop around back to Shishya. It was like a Sunday drive… on Friday. Beautiful. Before we jumped back in the car, everyone prayed for me. Needless to say, I cried. Tears of sadness… but of joy too. So many people impacted my life over the last 5 months. My last, and final post will be more about that.

Friday night there was a going away party for me at the small boys house. Some older boys that I taught came and joined us. Some boys thanked me for things (even got some sweet hand made cards) and Ruth and Kiran said a few sincere heartfelt words. I tried so hard to keep the tears in but couldn’t. It was so moving. I felt so appreciated by so many people. I kept stealing glances from Ratan, and the expression on his face was hard to read. I just wanted to run across the room and give him a big hug.

Vijay took the bus with me with my big bag and Liz's too to Delhi. It was nice to have someone with me. Delhi was a lot hotter than Dehra Dun. When Vijay hugged me by at the airport, I choked up because he was my last Shishya contact. He, along with lots of other people, asked if I'll be back some day. I said I hope to sometime in the future. I said most volunteers probably feel that way... but I don't want to say that then not come. Vijay admired that, and said that since I said that.... I'll for sure be back.

For 2 whole days I will be traveling by bus, plane and ferry to get home.
I still can't believe I left.
Why did 5 months have to go so fast?