It was the end of Devi Bhava at San Ramon. For pleasing her many Amritapuri children who want to remain always connected to her, Amma came on a video call and even spoke to many. Such calls have been a huge gift to keep us connected to Amma’s presence and Love.

Yesterday, the bell rang announcing Amma’s presence on screen. The whole Ashram seemed like ants scurrying before rain. Boys gathered at the Hall and girls in the temple. Video connections cracked with audio inputs from San Ramon in California. The sitting mats were places and various ages and colors sat together uniting in the need of Amma’s love. Suddenly smiles broke simultaneously in many faces. A moment of Joy! Amma’s Darshan video beamed through a TV. Amma was in a beautiful purple-gold sari but the beauty of the sight that caught us all was Amma’s wonderful smile.

As songs rose in tempo, all eagerly looked at Amma and her embrace during the Darshan. Amma would not do a simple hold during that embrace but she would pull the person closer with her left hand, press them to herself and then bless them with a personal message followed by a kiss on the cheek. Amma would look at the one who is beside her, how the helpers hold the other person and yet smile to another while conveying a personalized Darshan. Even after many 10-12 hours , Amma embrace remained the same. Darshan is always unique and that was what enthralled all of us here, far away from USA.

Devi Bhava finished with Amma showering flowers and a super vibrant ‘Amma Amma Taye’ finishing while the temple screen closed. We were jubilant and lo .. Amma called us all (who were on a video call via a laptop) from inside the temple. Amma smiled and waved. Amma asked if we were all happy and we replied with a loud “YES”. Amma enquired lovingly about the bramacharins –girls and boys, Achanmar and Ammamar ( literally dads and moms, refering to elderly residents). One Achan (elderly resident) even told Amma about his press seva and rest. Amma showed a plate where a devotee had offered something to her. As she took a tiny bite, a little boy, Amritanand, who was sitting with us here asked “Amma is that tasty?” Amma said “Son, this (pointing to a piece of cottage cheese) is tasteless. The real sweet to me is You and since all of you are there how can this be tasty?” Amma was so lovingly touching us each and all with her beautiful motherly Love. After hours of continuous Darshan, she still wants to show us her closeness through unexplainable expressions of infinite Love. Amma told us to be happy and sent us her blessings like flying kisses. Such is our Mother!

– Shyam