Day 1: One hour Vipassana complete
It’s 3am. Rain drumming on the glass ceiling jolts me awake. Just a few hours ago, scattered laughter turned into a painful cry. Not even four years old, little one feels pain on her throat, medication wearing off.
The next morning, I find the dad in the kitchen, drinking tea. They survived the night. She is okay.
I grate some ginger, squeeze some lemon and add lots of honey to a pot of boiled water. Straining the seeds and fleshy ginger before serving Jon, then myself, then I make a cup for Biki.
I cannot find a thermos, and I need to get going. I empty a 500ml of sparkling water into a mug. Drink as fast I can, before filling the bottle with lukewarm liquid.
He’s supposed to be here, and I see his badge and bag at his usual spot. I leave it by his badge, take a photo. I saw him yesterday and the day before. He looked grey and sad, the light inside dimmed and weary. I was thinking of him when I made the tea. Therefore, is it a surprise that I made just enough for four adults. The mind is a powerful thing. Our thoughts planting a seed of future actions.
It is now 7:39pm. Biki has given Aya a bath, Jon is away, and she finds me sitting at the kitchen counter. “Can you make me the ginger honey tea?” Sure, since you asked me so nicely.
As she sees me grating and squeezing, she is shocked, “I didn’t know it was going to be this much effort!”
It’s not. I like working.
I make three more cups. Pour her a cup and me one too.
We chichat and laugh about nothing in particular.
“Money allows me to be generous”, I say.
I’ve never heard anyone describe money that way, I like it.
“Cool!”
This love letter goes out to the act of generosity. I am grateful for being able to do things and find ways to nourish friends and colleagues. As I sat here writing, I ask myself. Would I rather be in my words, or speak to my wonderful friend, Biki.
So we speak, and we laugh.
This love letter is to myself for taking interest in people. Doing small things to bring joy. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people and opportunities. Like when Aya threw all the balls out of her pool, I had fun picking them up and throwing them back in.
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