It is officially Christmas. The sun is shining with only the evenings and night time showers revealing the cloak of the winter season. There are a few shops around Sudder Street dripping in sparkling tinsel and packets of plastic bells. Giant fake Christmas trees stand to attention on the pavement, but it is the five foot tall Santa which is more effective at welcoming the Christmas cheer. Surrounded by Hindu deities and small shrines, the glitz and glitter of the festive season is neatly incorporated in the city's Holy Days, and only sporadically advertised to sell specific ideas of Christmas. Today's Times advertised an 'English Dundee Cake' along side 'An Exotic American Fruit Cake', but it is the local bakers inside of New Market which are cashing in on the seasonal fare, with mini cakes stacked high on the wooden stalls and selling for a bargain of 10 rupees each.
On Winter Solstice the Sisters decided it was time to decorate Sishu Bhavan. Luckily I arrived late so missed the morning briefing that the volunteers were requested not to play with the children and alternatively decorate the nursery, including building a huge nativity scene depicting little baby Jesus with his doting mother Mary and adopted father Joseph – a fairy tale image.
A few days ago an Indian family arrived to celebrate one of their children's birthday. They brought a huge cake filled with candels and a million presents, including the Indian version of the 'Barbie' doll – 'Betty'. After picking up some of the children and dancing them around the cake to the sounds of their cheers and the objections of the massis, the family came to play with the children. The young son was petrified of the children but managed to throw some soft balls which landed in their laps, providing something different for them to watch. Meanwhile, the kids from the active section ran around holding 'Betty's' wrapped up in plastic bags. When one eventually figured out that 'Betty' need not be contained within the packaging, the ensuing slaughter was massive. Legs and blonde Betty heads popped off all over the place, with the little Chinese Indian boy finding a hidden treasure. Attaching Betty's leg to her hip was a circle of plastic, or in the eyes of the little Chinese Indian boy - a perfect shaped 'bindi'. He grinned holding the prize close to his limited eyes, as he placed the plastic circle carefully on his own forehead. Later I commented to the Sister what a lovely gesture it was of the family to bring so many gifts and spend so much time with the kids. She replied; “they only do it so they can receive God's blessing.”
Meanwhile, the small clinic I am volunteering in is closed for Christmas. Again the priority appeared to be the building of the nativity scene, but if it is closed behind locked doors on Christmas day even that seemed a little strange. (Then again the Sisters asked some volunteers to remove the Christmas decorations at the Mother House this morning. ) I had offered to come and change the dressings of the patients who most needed treatment, but I was ordered to take a holiday. It was difficult to explain to the old man with maggots eating his upper thigh that he would have to wait until next week for the next batch of carnivores to be removed.
Behind these frustrations there are many beautiful actions, glances and glimpses of compassion which bring renewed energy. Moments where I feel glad for this festive time and for the lapses of generosity and optimism.
A couple of weeks ago children from another of the Missionaries of Charities homes, Daya Dan, performed a brilliant nativity play. They toured around the houses, acting and singing for the other children, patients, Sisters, Brothers and volunteers. Their visit to Sishu Bahavan was inspirational. The cast was composed of disabled children who were natural performers, providing an incredible energy to the audience. I brought down a gorgeous girl from the nursery, who smiles her way through severe different abilities, despite having her legs scissored together and little control over the movements of her hands. She sat on my knee, staring at the story being acted out in front of her, pausing only to turn around and she her smile.
Last night friends disguised as Christmas Angels left for the streets at midnight. They spent three hours quietly placing blankets over sleeping bodies without a whisper of their work.
This morning after bouncing down the steps of Modern Lodge to be greated by the joke of the day 'Happy Kissmas', from the Old Man and his giggling entourage, I pulled on my Santa's hat and Jingle Jangled my way into Sishu Bhavan. The pavement outside was crowded with people trying to find there way inside. Today the Sisters were giving out packages of food and supplies to many. However, 'many' is never enough and somehow only those 'selected' could enter by showing the magic card. The lady with the Incredible Eyes and her two babies were standing patiently waiting – no card in hand.
Inside the orphanage the kids had been dressed in red and gold sparkly dresses and suits. All of the active kids had made their usual pilgrimage to the Mother House for morning mass but were now busy singing songs and dancing to Christmas carols with the Sister. It was an unusual sight but one which brought copious smiles and a much needed happy vibe. Deepa was busy swaying from side to side enjoying the tunes. She was discharged from hospital a few days ago and seems much better. She is also becoming very close to me again; a feeling which brings with it a warning hesitancy as well as comfort that she once again she trusts me and feels safe to let me work and play with her.
My aunt's gift of a school recorder and teddy arrived a couple of days ago, but with so many Sisters on patrol, I felt reluctant to share it with Deepa. Instead it stayed hidden under my apron until another, quieter, day. The children are not meant to receive individual presents, but the volunteers are able to circumnavigate the rule by bringing toys and games in during the day and take them away in the evening. As for the teddy, Deepa has difficulty finding out the 'point' of a teddy. Perhaps she thinks it is just clothes or bedding and she was happy to move it to one side and continue her Christmas dancing. This worked out well for the Girl with the Most Beautiful Smile. She motioned for me to bring it to her and she reached out to hug it tight to her as she Smiled even wider. The Super Smart blind baby also loved it and began to stroke the teddy, feeling the different material and pulling it towards her. Thank You for such a kind thought.
The head of the Missionaries of Charity, German born, Sister Mary Perma then made a brief visit. She walked around placing her hands on the children and wishing them 'Happy Christmas' while the massis scurried around bending down to touch her feet. She wished the children a good Christmas lunch as they fought the massis and spoon fulls of cold Cerelac porridge.
Outside I found the lady with the Incredible Eyes and her two children sitting on the pavement. She hadn't managed to acquire a magic card. It wasn't quite the same but I had brought two loud surprises. After the mass slaughter of Holy cows for Eid, the kids on the neighbouring street had become extremely resourceful and had melted cow skins over clay pots to produce little drums. The final products have crayon drawings scribbled on them and a nylon string to attach the drum to the drummer. The clay cow drums sell for five rupees each, which is about 10 cents. I pulled the little drums out of my bag and hung them around the little kids necks. I handed the mother a bar of soap and a towel as yesterday she complained that her boys couldn't wash and as a result were filthy and covered in flies. Their reactions was so strong that I felt myself begin to gentley shake. The little boys were so surprised and shocked that the smiles took time to grow and then consumed their faces. The mother looked at me directly in the eyes, once again sharing her tremendous strength and power. I tell you this only because today my sister donated ten pounds. It will allow me to buy the lady with the Incredible Eyes and her fatherless family lunch for one month. Another Thank You.
Its been a long time since I celebrated Christmas. It had forgotten what a good excuse it is to laugh loudly, sing badly and to Share and to Smile. A reminder of how relations could be everyday of the year.
Thank you to all who continue to Share and Inspire.
On Winter Solstice the Sisters decided it was time to decorate Sishu Bhavan. Luckily I arrived late so missed the morning briefing that the volunteers were requested not to play with the children and alternatively decorate the nursery, including building a huge nativity scene depicting little baby Jesus with his doting mother Mary and adopted father Joseph – a fairy tale image.
A few days ago an Indian family arrived to celebrate one of their children's birthday. They brought a huge cake filled with candels and a million presents, including the Indian version of the 'Barbie' doll – 'Betty'. After picking up some of the children and dancing them around the cake to the sounds of their cheers and the objections of the massis, the family came to play with the children. The young son was petrified of the children but managed to throw some soft balls which landed in their laps, providing something different for them to watch. Meanwhile, the kids from the active section ran around holding 'Betty's' wrapped up in plastic bags. When one eventually figured out that 'Betty' need not be contained within the packaging, the ensuing slaughter was massive. Legs and blonde Betty heads popped off all over the place, with the little Chinese Indian boy finding a hidden treasure. Attaching Betty's leg to her hip was a circle of plastic, or in the eyes of the little Chinese Indian boy - a perfect shaped 'bindi'. He grinned holding the prize close to his limited eyes, as he placed the plastic circle carefully on his own forehead. Later I commented to the Sister what a lovely gesture it was of the family to bring so many gifts and spend so much time with the kids. She replied; “they only do it so they can receive God's blessing.”
Meanwhile, the small clinic I am volunteering in is closed for Christmas. Again the priority appeared to be the building of the nativity scene, but if it is closed behind locked doors on Christmas day even that seemed a little strange. (Then again the Sisters asked some volunteers to remove the Christmas decorations at the Mother House this morning. ) I had offered to come and change the dressings of the patients who most needed treatment, but I was ordered to take a holiday. It was difficult to explain to the old man with maggots eating his upper thigh that he would have to wait until next week for the next batch of carnivores to be removed.
Behind these frustrations there are many beautiful actions, glances and glimpses of compassion which bring renewed energy. Moments where I feel glad for this festive time and for the lapses of generosity and optimism.
A couple of weeks ago children from another of the Missionaries of Charities homes, Daya Dan, performed a brilliant nativity play. They toured around the houses, acting and singing for the other children, patients, Sisters, Brothers and volunteers. Their visit to Sishu Bahavan was inspirational. The cast was composed of disabled children who were natural performers, providing an incredible energy to the audience. I brought down a gorgeous girl from the nursery, who smiles her way through severe different abilities, despite having her legs scissored together and little control over the movements of her hands. She sat on my knee, staring at the story being acted out in front of her, pausing only to turn around and she her smile.
Last night friends disguised as Christmas Angels left for the streets at midnight. They spent three hours quietly placing blankets over sleeping bodies without a whisper of their work.
This morning after bouncing down the steps of Modern Lodge to be greated by the joke of the day 'Happy Kissmas', from the Old Man and his giggling entourage, I pulled on my Santa's hat and Jingle Jangled my way into Sishu Bhavan. The pavement outside was crowded with people trying to find there way inside. Today the Sisters were giving out packages of food and supplies to many. However, 'many' is never enough and somehow only those 'selected' could enter by showing the magic card. The lady with the Incredible Eyes and her two babies were standing patiently waiting – no card in hand.
Inside the orphanage the kids had been dressed in red and gold sparkly dresses and suits. All of the active kids had made their usual pilgrimage to the Mother House for morning mass but were now busy singing songs and dancing to Christmas carols with the Sister. It was an unusual sight but one which brought copious smiles and a much needed happy vibe. Deepa was busy swaying from side to side enjoying the tunes. She was discharged from hospital a few days ago and seems much better. She is also becoming very close to me again; a feeling which brings with it a warning hesitancy as well as comfort that she once again she trusts me and feels safe to let me work and play with her.
My aunt's gift of a school recorder and teddy arrived a couple of days ago, but with so many Sisters on patrol, I felt reluctant to share it with Deepa. Instead it stayed hidden under my apron until another, quieter, day. The children are not meant to receive individual presents, but the volunteers are able to circumnavigate the rule by bringing toys and games in during the day and take them away in the evening. As for the teddy, Deepa has difficulty finding out the 'point' of a teddy. Perhaps she thinks it is just clothes or bedding and she was happy to move it to one side and continue her Christmas dancing. This worked out well for the Girl with the Most Beautiful Smile. She motioned for me to bring it to her and she reached out to hug it tight to her as she Smiled even wider. The Super Smart blind baby also loved it and began to stroke the teddy, feeling the different material and pulling it towards her. Thank You for such a kind thought.
The head of the Missionaries of Charity, German born, Sister Mary Perma then made a brief visit. She walked around placing her hands on the children and wishing them 'Happy Christmas' while the massis scurried around bending down to touch her feet. She wished the children a good Christmas lunch as they fought the massis and spoon fulls of cold Cerelac porridge.
Outside I found the lady with the Incredible Eyes and her two children sitting on the pavement. She hadn't managed to acquire a magic card. It wasn't quite the same but I had brought two loud surprises. After the mass slaughter of Holy cows for Eid, the kids on the neighbouring street had become extremely resourceful and had melted cow skins over clay pots to produce little drums. The final products have crayon drawings scribbled on them and a nylon string to attach the drum to the drummer. The clay cow drums sell for five rupees each, which is about 10 cents. I pulled the little drums out of my bag and hung them around the little kids necks. I handed the mother a bar of soap and a towel as yesterday she complained that her boys couldn't wash and as a result were filthy and covered in flies. Their reactions was so strong that I felt myself begin to gentley shake. The little boys were so surprised and shocked that the smiles took time to grow and then consumed their faces. The mother looked at me directly in the eyes, once again sharing her tremendous strength and power. I tell you this only because today my sister donated ten pounds. It will allow me to buy the lady with the Incredible Eyes and her fatherless family lunch for one month. Another Thank You.
Its been a long time since I celebrated Christmas. It had forgotten what a good excuse it is to laugh loudly, sing badly and to Share and to Smile. A reminder of how relations could be everyday of the year.
Thank you to all who continue to Share and Inspire.
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