Amma is with you too...

(News from Santa Fe Jun 30)

After hugging all her children, Amma's last day of darshan at Los Angeles came to an end at 11:00 a.m., well into the next morning. As Amma departed from the City of Angels, many shed tears, both silent and evident, as they mentally prepared for the year's wait ahead before seeing her again.
Darshan in Santa Fe, New Mexico, began on the hot and dusty morning of Monday, the 30th of June. At 7600 ft. above sea level, Santa Fe has a high desert climate of hot days and chilly nights, its troubles increased by the thin and very dry air common in high altitudes. But whatever be the arduous conditions at Santa Fe, they have never been strong enough to keep away Amma's children flying in from around the country to enjoy her presence within the quiet and pristine beauty of this land. As the darshan numbers steadily rose, Amma was seen giving of herself as freely as ever, laughing, joking, sympathizing, lovingly admonishing and advising her children, her every falling glance lighting up tens of faces in its path.

As evening drew near and temperatures dropped, Amma's humorous and inspiring satsang and the lively bhajans warmed everyone - heart, body and soul. Adding to the vibrant ambience, Amma's new bhajan, Grace us with your Compassion, Lord sung to the tune of Ishwar Tumhi Daya Karo - stole hearts again in Santa Fe. Amma's Western children applauded once again as they heard their mother bridge the language barrier, fulfilling their heart-felt desire.

Late in the night, as darshan continued, Amma's eyes fell on a teenage girl, Manju, who was in the darshan line. "I heard your sister scored 100% in her tests at school. How are you faring in your tests?" Amma asked Manju mischievously.

Like a defiant child to her mother, Manju pursed up her lips and replied, "But Amma, I got 102%!"Amma laughed, obviously enjoying the sibling rivalry.

In a short while, Manju sister Sharada was seen in the darshan line - one might safely assume, not entirely by accident. Amma, her eyes twinkling with mischief now, asked her, "How are you doing in your school work?"

Sharada proudly displayed the medal that she had won at school. "I have 7 more like this at home, Amma, but I couldn't bring them all!"

At this, Amma called out endearingly, "Manju, Manju, did you hear this?"

On hearing Amma's call and the reason behind it, Manju replied, "But Amma, when Sharada was in my grade she did not get so many medals and high grades. I will do so too when I reach her grade." "Doesn't this seem like a competition?" somebody asked, to which Amma replied, "In School, competition is healthy. The students compete to win and not to defeat another."

As the two sisters came close to Amma, she smiled lovingly at them and spoke to the general crowd, "I want to induce a healthy competition between them. They will excel in their studies without any doubt." She then lovingly stroked Manju and said, "Amma is very happy with your performance too. If you try a little harder, you will also win medals like your sister. Amma is with you too."

"Both these sisters grew up playing in my lap, at the Vallikkavu (Amritapuri) ashram...They used to eat and sleep with me in my bed. On seeing them, Amma wanted to hear the sound of their voices and make conversation with them." Amma added to the fascinated crowd.

Even to those who are familiar with Amma's ways, each day with her is like a mystery, waiting to unravel before our eyes. Sweetly and succinctly, Amma conveys her messages, enriching the life of all around her. With the strength of her love, she empowers her children - like the girl in Santa Fe - guiding, encouraging, blessing their hard work and endeavor with the powerful message, "Amma is with you too..."