13 April 2020
Dear friends,
I’ve been resisting writing another letter. Life has become fairly dull and routine. There isn’t really much to write about.
Except that I have no hair, or at least almost no hair, and that is outside routine. I’m still surprised when I look in the mirror. Who is that with such huge ears? Dumbo Bill, of course. Ann gave me a haircut and it’s the shortest my hair has ever been. I was nervous during it, sure that she would snip my ear or puncture my skull. But as usual, she did a great job, with confidence and simplicity. It was me who was worried and all for nothing, as usual.
Other than that, day follows day. Somehow time gets filled in. There are days when I wonder where the day has gone as there is much to do. On Saturday we will go to a villa down the road that we are renovating as a place for him to stay when he comes. It will also become our home eventually. It’s huge and will have an additional twelve-room apartment and two dormitories at either end. But we go there to water the front garden, which Ann and the Grounds Team have already planted. It takes us three to four hours to water it. Well, Ann waters and I walk along carrying the hose. So the morning is then gone, lunch happens at 2:00, and all of a sudden most of the day is gone.
I thought I would be bored as I’m used to an active life, but to my surprise I’m enjoying this quiet time. But I do hope we can start satsang and seva again. I’m sure that is a universal feeling in all sangats and that you are all longing, as I am, for that day.
I had a chat with our young frontline doctor on Saturday, his day off. He said that the numbers are flattening a little. In the hospital where he works there are now about 600+ patients a day instead of 800+. More than that, they now know what to do. He said they can’t cure the virus; there isn’t a vaccine or drug they can give with the surety that all will be well. But they have learned the right protocol and what works best to help people get through the virus as easily and quickly as possible. He also said about twenty of his colleagues – doctors, nurses, technicians, cleaning crew etc.– have the virus. No one has died and most have recovered, but a few are struggling to get well. I have a new respect for doctors and anyone working in a hospital.
I don’t have any idea if it’s true, but I heard that Baba Ji said, better to die in seva (working with coronavirus issues) than to do nothing at all. So I’m envious of those who are in India preparing packed lunches and wish there was more that we could do while in isolation. One of the heads of our langar has started sewing masks at home and giving them to neighbours and whoever needs them. Good for her. A mask has almost become normal here. It is rare to see anyone without a mask, and when I do see someone without a mask I have an immediate reaction to get away as quickly as possible. I guess that is basic fear, but I’ll say it is like tying the leg of the camel. (We should trust in God but at least we should tie the leg of the camel so it doesn’t run away.)
Today, we would have been beginning our second week of seven-days-a-week seva in preparation for our MSP (Master’s satsang programme) beginning the 25th of this month. I can imagine what the atmosphere would have been like. Filled with love and enthusiasm and happy to be working twenty-four hours a day, if necessary. Well, it will happen, just not now. As I walk around the centre now, it looks like an abandoned construction site that people walked away from as they ran out of money. But the skeleton is there and quite beautiful, and we would have been ready for him if that had been the hukum. I’ve gotten a few messages from people saying their holidays from work would have begun as they had planned on three weeks of seva. There is a little nostalgia in their voices but they are a good lot and accepting of His will.
If this letter seems a little boring maybe it’s because so little happens now. It is our 60th day without seva and slowly the restrictions have gotten tighter and tighter. So life is now so narrowly in focus that there is no excitement at all. But I think of all of you and hope that all is well with you and your families. It’s another lovely day outside and this afternoon I’ll plant watermelon seeds that should be ready for sevadars when seva starts. Of course, I’m writing about my one little attempt at gardening while Ann has planted zucchini, carrots, beets, okra, tomatoes, etc. I know I’ll continue to eat well; her sourdough bread is also amazing. I’m spoiled.
Please be safe and cautious and take care.
My fondest regards,
XXX
Bill