Wednesday, October 09, 2024

coming back around

Friends and family in the path of Hurricane Milton are beginning to "mark" themselves safe; I hope that continues. For right now, it feels lovely to be back home where everything is normal and human-sized (as opposed to thousands of feet tall or deep à la Arches and Canyonlands). 

And on my first full day back, these four beautiful encounters felt like blessings.

1) When I went to pick up the holy basil (Tulsi) plant from the people selling it, they turned out to be a South Indian mother-daughter pair who were so, so nice. The daughter was relocating to the U.K. and when I told them that I had done my doctorate in the U.K., she turned out to be an Oxford Alumna too. At that point, they--naturally--invited me to come in and have "coffee and tiffin." 

2) Although it was mostly an intro to their online tech and learning platform (Moodle), there was a sense of solidarity at the Zoom meeting for the volunteer Gaza instructors. (The initiative is led by Lille University in France and hosted by AnNajah University in Palestine.) I gulped when the admin said it would be good to record lectures because students may not have internet access or electricity at class meeting times. Most of the other instructors were men, so when I spotted someone who appeared to be a woman, I Facebook-friended them like it was 2006. Then KK and I had a heartfelt exchange about why we were doing this and swore comradeship. 

3) Finally, and for no reason I can think of, my masseuse AM decided to gift me today's massage. First I demurred, then I refused outright... but she shut me down by saying she knew I would respect her decision. This feels too, too much--massaging is strenuous work and a whole hour out of her workday is too generous. When I asked her, she merely smiled and said, "What goes around comes around." Which is inscrutable but fair, I guess. But she doesn't know much about me and I really haven't ever done anything special for her. (Although I clearly need to now. Ideas welcome.)

4) Pic: It's late in the year, but I think this is a fritillary? They were just soaking up the sunshine and doing that thing where they open and close their wings--as though in pure pleasure. I kind of felt like that myself at odd moments during the day. 

12 comments:

Nicole said...

Oh wow, what wonderful things to read first thing in the morning! What goes around comes around, indeed. xo

StephLove said...

Welcome home. Recording the lectures makes perfect sense.

Nance said...

Welcome back! I really like the response of your masseuse--"I know you'll respect my decision." It's perfect. Sometimes, the back-and-forth about payment, like picking up a check or tab, ruins the joy of the gift. Saying it's a matter of respecting a decision puts a new perspective on it.

Gillian said...

Congrats

NGS said...

Get your masseuse a great bonus at Christmastime! Or a delightful splurge they wouldn't get for themselves!

maya said...

It was a comforting day...

maya said...

Steph--that comment about electricity immediately brought to mind the concerns you'd voiced earlier!

maya said...

Thank you, Nance.

Yes--"I know you'll respect my decision" was gentle but firm. I'm filing it away for use myself. It's in the "a simple thank you will suffice" category.

maya said...

Thanks :)

maya said...

This will be my first Christmas with them, and I certainly shall!

Jenny said...

Wow, your massage therapist was generous! I'll confirm that giving a massage is hard work. I've never even considered gifting someone a massage. My guess- with only knowing what you've said about her- is that she's not looking for a return favor, but instead hoping you'll pay it forward. If you do that and report back to her, she'll be happy (and also- a nice Christmas gift to her this year couldn't hurt either!)

maya said...

Jenny--thanks for your thoughts on this. These are both excellent ideas--especially the reporting back, which I had not thought of. (And yes, it was generous--even overly generous... and I really wouldn't want my friends who practice massage therapy to be giving away their hard work and time for free!)

the drumming in the wilderness

by the time this day ends  I've  run  out  of  prayers but  I've  made  an  altar where  I grimly offer up  my  pride,  my  surprise...