October 2004

Dear Saints and Aints.

Shalom.

Home again!

The kids still being absent the reception committee was rather small. Furthermore, my place still in a bit of disarray as the work was still going on. Lastly my computer was not properly set up as the “computer man” was busy elsewhere. But . . . the AC Yohan had installed worked great and so did the coffee maker operated by one of the “kids” – cooled without and warmed within . . . I am home!

What does it matter that the food I now sometimes eat, had my mother cooked it, would have given my father a cause for divorce or that the pilot on the last leg of the journey couldn’t make up his mind whether to make me drink the coffee of wear it  . . . I am home!

Though my visa is ok and so are the rest of my papers, I must confess going through the immigration at the Mumbai airport had its anxious moments as I remonstrated with God that my desire to be home was legitimate and reasonable. It apparently is and I walked through immigration without hassle; the friendly smile from the immigration officer who stamped the passport was a bonus.

As I walked to the taxi I surreptitiously touched the elevated walkway at the airport with a finger and then touched my forehead, heart and cheek with it. The cheek part was probably a subconscious desire to learn Hindi faster . . . I shake my head and grin . . .

Alone in my room I slump into my old easy chair and let my mind catch up with my body while savoring the word “HOME”.

The next step is to get settled in and get everything set up so I can work. My computer and email are only partially working and so is my mind . . . I am not sure how many received my last email; Bapu said a lot of messages were returned for one reason or another . . . I trust this will be more successful.

My thoughts turn often towards you and I will write personal letters later. For now bear with me and this inadequate missive to express my thanks to all who made the furlough such a memorable one.

In His great love

Frank.