16 Oct 2007, Amritapuri

Devi Bhava ended this morning in Amritapuri (or Holland, depending on where you are physically).
When the connection was first made around 9:30, Swamiji was chanting the 1000 names.   Many of the international visitors were in the Canteen eating breakfast at the time.  Swamiji’s voice boomed throughout the hall and we responded with ‘Om Parashaktyai Namah’ between bites.

Having eaten a blissful breakfast, I joined my Brothers on stage.  Once again, the distance was blurred and we found ourselves in Holland. Amma was looking as beautiful as ever.   The garlands that hung around Her neck stood out vividly against her still-unidentified-colored sari.  (Last night, when Amma was talking with us in the Mandapam after the Puja, I was told that Amma had said it was ‘neither blue nor green.’)   Even at breakfast, everyone was commenting that it was the first time they had seen Amma wear that shade.
There were a few ceremonies to go before the end.  In Europe, Amma performs  Baptisms for children (and occasionally a few adults).   There was one particular infant – maybe about 10 months old(?), where the ceremony appeared to change into a ‘first feeding’.   He took took a certain interest in Amma’s hand and began sucking on it much to Amma’s and everyone’s laughter.  This went on it seemed for a few minutes.
All the while, Swamiji was belting out bhajans.   ‘Devi Sharanam’, ‘Kuch Na Le’, and finally ‘Amma Amma Taye.’  I think the speakers in the Ashram were all connected so everyone could hear.  It felt like Swamiji was there with us.
Among us, there were a few international visitors who had never met Amma before.  This was their first time seeing Her.  One or two are headed back to Europe and will be lucky to see Her – this time physically.
After a few more ceremonies and one wedding, Amma rose to Her feet.  The camera was positioned to Amma’s right – just over Her shoulder, looking out at the crowd and the arena where the program was being held.  It was our first view of the hall – giving us some perspective.  Amma showered flower petals at Her children as they passed by.  Then the curtains closed.
Back inside the Mandapam, Amma chatted with us again.  A few more jokes and it was over.  The camera followed Her through the crowd and out the door to the camper.   How I wish the camera could go there as well – and then we could journey with Amma to the next stop. But it’s only a dream. Amma needs to rest. Instead, we’ll have to settle for the internal journey – to Switzerland, where in three more days, it will be Devi Bhava again.

– Sri pati