Detour
I took a long time getting here,
much of it wasted on wrong turns,
back roads riddled by ruts.
I had adventures
I never would have known
if I proceeded as the crow flies.
Super highways are so sure
of where they are going:
they arrive too soon.
A straight line isn't always
the shortest distance
between two people.
Sometimes I act as though
I'm heading somewhere else
while, imperceptibly,
I narrow the gap between you and me.
I'm not sure I'll ever
know the right way,
but I don't mind
getting lost now and then.
Maps don't know everything.
~ Ruth Feldman ~(The Ambitions of Ghosts)
21 Whispers of Hope:
How lovely to see your post, Maithri! Have missed your beautiful words and stories, but know how busy you are. This is beautiful and so very true, thanks for sharing it! Hope all is well with you, my dearest friend.
Namaste
What a moving tribute to your journey in Swaziland.
I never seem to have a dry eye when I come to visit, wether it be from the tears of laughter, or of heartbreaking love.
What a gift you are M, what a magical wonderful blessing you are to this world.
I thank you, for the tremendous gifts you are.
dear dr maithri,
you have come into my small, sheltered world and knocked down all the walls, forcing me to look outside and see a wider place of loving, no longer content to love only those within my small circle or those I simply birthed ... to remember there is a larger world, a world full of children laughing and crying, living and dying right before my eyes, if I will simply open them to see....a world of grandmas like me, loving like me, only their little ones have suffered much more simply because they happen to be born elsewhere and those dear grandmas also...their searing pain is beyond my imagined ability to be strong...theirs is the true strength...this I now know and no amount of ego will ever convince me otherwise nor do I want it to.
thank you for such a gift, a gift of knowing, of awareness...before you, I knew nothing, NO THING, I cannot emphasize that enough and because of your majestic courage, I could change and grow bigger, more expansive in who I am...in small increments perhaps but grow I have.
you offered me a chance to give a small little tiny speck of help to these beautiful people who live right next to me....I simply couldn't see them with my natural eyes...now because of you, I can...
namaste
Pictures speak a thousand words and these speak a million. It warmed my heart and Bless you for all the good work you do and make so many hearts happy. The children are so beautiful. Sent you lots of Aroha Keep well
Maps don't know everything. So right, and when you fly in a straigh line, sometimes you miss the beauty of lush detours, exuberant side-roads and aromatic unknown paths. Enjoy your journey, mate, I am, too, through your eyes. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
safari njema [journey well] as we say in Kiswahili.
Maithri - I'm sending big bear hugs across that blue expansive Indian Ocean of love and welcome home to you.
There are few words that would express adequately how I felt when I read that sublime poem and watched - twice - the video with that collection of beautiful, heartwarming, heart-breaking, tender, sweet, captivating and memorable images of your time in Swaziland. I feel that I've lived every moment of those three months in that lovely land, with those exceptional people right alongside you. And, above all, I will never, ever be able to thank you for what you have done....are are doing still. You are the star I follow, always.
Hi Gorgeous! I'm so happy you're back! I've missed you terribly! But I'm all selfish that way ;) XOXO
I am full with feelings about what you show and tell in your blog. Feelings eh? Not much good if one keeps them to oneself, so I will attempt to make some action. You're making a difference and I hope more and more people will join you. x
Oh, I have missed you. So much. As I watched this video, I saw much suffering and pain. But, you know, I saw more joy. And it struck me over and over again that the joy came from the love freely given. From the gentle hands and open arms. From the dancing feet and gifts of love. We can always bring joy to any sorrow when we offer love.
Thank you, my friend. Sawubona.
Hi Maithri,
I have missed you, my friend. So happy to see your face today at my blog. I look forward to hear more of your journey.
Love,
Shell
Hi!Your posts are a learning experience and a great inspiration for all the readers. Do keep inspiring us, for it is the inspiration that makes one do what he or she might just keep planning!
Thanks for sharing the beautiful post!
Maithri,
welcome back to the blogland, you were greatly missed.
I'm having trouble seeing the video so i think i'll go to youtube to watch it.
If you get a chance to read my post titled Zimbabwe(June archive) you can see some lovely people we met and hear their words. I thought of you.
bless,
lori
Thank you for letting me taking the journey with you by sharing your pictures ..your in my heart! There will be another tomorrow:)
Blessings to you dear Maithri.
At your young age, you have already made a difference in the world.
Life has been better for some people because you are in it.
Love Renee xoxoxo
Dear, dear friend, brother, fellow poet on the long road through life,
What a blessed video you have shared with us.
The love you have poured out to the beloved brothers and sisters of Swaziland is but an extension of the love we send to you. We are all connected. We are all part of this great Love.
Thank you for recognizing this and shining your Light so brightly.
I bless the day I happened upon your blog, dear friend.
With a deep bow of gratitude and love, L
Thank you for such a soulful reminder that the roads most enjoyed are roads at all but places we twist and turn into, often times, deep within our spirit and those around us...
xoxox
maithri, i have more often than not not been able to access your blog. but tonight i am here, knowing you have completed your four months and grateful yet again that your heart gives so much. i see skinny and tessa and renee and others i respect and care about here. we are a community, our power and potential still taking shape. i hope i give in the way you do. i follow your footsteps. i'm wishing you every inch and corner of love that ever was..
welcome back, my friend
love
kj
Your collection of pictures truly depicts every aspect of life. The poem is a nice reminder of the journey of life. Indeed: "Maps don't know everything."
Thanks for sharing.
The butterfly effect...It's been so long, I haven't been able to come here...I click and forever goes by...and no news...blank pages loading and loading...And tonight, at Kimbies, she gives me the key and suddenly I see it again...your world, their world, our world...and I remember what I never forgot, but needed to be reminded of..."It doesn't matter whose child"....God bless you friend, bless every child, every breath, footstep...every wing that flutters...
Much love...
And prayers...
And may the circle grow....
and grow...
Maithri, this montage of your experience in Siteki is the embodiment of love. You are there for these beautiful people, what a fitting tribute to MJ's song!
Thanks for all that you are and all that you give to the world.
Much love to you my friend!
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