Welcome Home, from Tracy
Amit, Tracy, and Galen laughing after tasting her birthday cake Dharampal-style
A, B, C, E, J, J, J, and K,
I'm so happy to see Kate, Breena, Jules, and Cassie's smiling faces on the blog this afternoon as I logged on to write some words about the final days of the program! I am processing through missing each of you. The third floor of the HCP seems incredibly empty and quiet this morning as I woke up and engaged with the streets of Karol Bagh. I'm hoping the flight was safe and enjoyable, if not a last taste of Indian culture before heading back home for the holiday festivities.
I saw Jesse off early this morning to catch his 24 hour train to Kolkatta. He, Namgial, and I took in a classical piano and tabla concert last night (not to mention an amazing performance of Brahm's Quintet in F minor for piano and string quartet!) and had some amazing south Indian thali for dinner. After dinner, Jesse and I endulged in the second half of Star Wars Episode I on Stars, all the while complaining about George Lucas' directing. Peter is still busy running around, hopefully I'll see him tonight for dinner, and Amit is taking another exam as I type. Namgial and I will attend a lecture on Milarepa this evening. I'm thankful for the presence of our friends here in Delhi as I work through the quiet loneliness... Conversations turn back to the eight of you repeatedly during our meals together repeating funny stories, and reflecting on what an amazing group of folks you are.
As Galen communicates, and I reiterate, I thank you, each and as a whole, for contributing your whole selves to our journey and our community this fall. Galen and I have been quite blessed to be able to work with you and share in your discoveries and learnings over the course of the last 90 days.
I was looking back over photos this morning to organize for the Flikr site and was astounded to see the changes that have taken place in each of you from the first days of our time together at Lifebridge. You all look a little scruffier :), and you carry a profound knowing in your smiles and expressions in the most recent ones that has replaced the nervous excitement communicated in the first photos. I always underestimate the power of image-capturing to truly show change taking place, but I felt inspired as I peered into the images and watched our sweet story unfold. I can't wait to share them all with you on the site!
In the meantime, catch up on your sleep and enjoy the holidays with your friends and families... ease back slowly into the pace and style of your lives. I, too, hope that you'll write and keep me updated on the choices you're making that will shape your next ne-kor. I admire you all very much for taking the risk, against many cultural expecations, to take a break between (or amongst) your schooling to consider a change of perspective. You also have my ear if you find yourself in need of understanding or processing any piece of your re-entry or lives and I very much look forward to hearing about your new adventures.
Congratulations, alumni of Global LAB. It's with great love, appreciation, thanks, and a happy, but heavy, heart that I celebrate sending you off on your next journey. I'll not easily forget my first semester leading with Global LAB and it is because all of you gave of yourselves to make our time together beautiful.
Take care of yourselves, and be well.
Tracy
P.S. It took me three shampoos to get all the grease out of my hair from my delicious birthday cake. Thank you all, again, for the suprise and I'll certainly be thinking of you tomorrow!