87 YEARS

Friday, September 7th, 2024

Calgary, Alberta

I landed in Calgary 10 a.m. gaining an extra two hours considering the time zone change. The air in Alberta is dry but beware. “Temperatures are rising. It will be 30°C plus, a type of heat wave,” said several people upon my arrival.

Dhruva took me to his new home where partner, Kamala, and he reside. He’s been learning how to build and fix things. “It’s a guy’s domain, right ?” He agreed. Nice couple. Twelve years married. “Keep going,” is my mood and definitely theirs. 

A sizeable sangha gathering was arranged at my host’s home. Radha, Madhava and Svasti and two daughters put on a big bhakti party each time I come. Their basement below gets filled. It’s cooler there. We were enjoying kirtan (chanting), katha (a talk), some spontaneous skits on Krishna’s pastimes and prasadam - all are main ingredients for a successful Vaishnava party.

There was one more thing. Jahnavi, Svasti’s mother, turned 87 today. A delicious cake was made. What has become so common is bhakti circles is the recognition of good souls on his/her birthday. People need to be appreciated and the community to which they belong can rally around behind its membership.

“Happy Birthday ! Jahnavi ! Your devotion ranks way up there !”