The lifeline that keeps me tethered to reality.
Their faces, their names
The very thing that becomes a source of immense pain for others is the deepening of an interior strength for others
That your joy may be full

Dear India,

If I could write you a letter thanking me for all that you have shown me, I have a feeling I would be adding to it all my life.

You taught me how to restore the dignity to the dying, the last great act of mercy and life.

You taught me that poverty can unify, but that isolation can cripple.

You taught me how easy it is to lose hope and stay in your state in life – that believing that nothing can be better is the truest poverty.

You taught me that friendship has limitations, but forgiveness, patience, and humility have no bounds.

You taught me that gentleness can be strong, and that the most trustworthy kind of compassion has been tried by fire and tries with fire.

You taught me that it is possible to love in different languages.

You taught me that bringing sight to the blind looks first with the interior gaze of love, and that love is born from lack.

You taught me that the greatest act of service is not done with the hands but the heart- even peeling potatoes can be a mercy, and that dressing a wound bows before bouncing a ball.

You taught me that shame shows me that there is dignity, for why would it touch me to be moved at the vulnerability of another if that which is vulnerable is not precious?

You taught me that life is short but love lasts long.

You taught me that laughter has an inestimable power.

You taught me that grieving is a universal pain.

You taught me that people are heavy.

You taught me that being a human person is a great gift.

You taught me that being a saint is not about what you do but how you do it.

You taught me that chai tea and bananas are all I need for breakfast.

You taught me that a song can sustain me for a whole day.

You taught me that it is possible to find family in a week.

You taught me that I can cross a street on pure assertiveness alone.

…

To the Poor One of India,

You taught me that my soul aches for silent prayer and adoration in a way that must be reserved for my relationship with You~

You taught me that You hide in a unique way in each Face~

You taught me that One can do much for so many only in that You are my all and I am Yours~

You taught me that all things will be well~

You taught me that silence is the best answer outside to hear the inner conversation of You in my heart~