OBSERVING OUR MACHINES

Monday, December 29th, 2025

Owen Sound, Ontario

Sudhama and I had taken to the walking track on the second floor of the Bay Shore hockey complex, which in some way we felt it not to be complete as an exercise.

“What if we just took a ride to the downtown for a walk on the salted sidewalks. We can capture some good air?” I suggested.

Sudhama liked the idea for that short 1.6-kilometre drive. Just as we were moving on and talking about vehicles and the expense they incur, a motorist pulled up next to us at the intersection informing us that the back of our van was on fire. We pulled over and witnessed flames coming out of passenger’s rear side. Quickly Sudhama threw snow on the burning and melting left rear light area. It looked like the wiring experienced a short. That was not what we expected, but such is life.

Meanwhile, my host, Garuda Vahan (which translates as the vehicle of the great bird), was getting assistance from a visiting nurse showing how to use an oxygen device to address his lack of breath, a result of lung cancer. The point I make here is that machinery is a great agent for accomplishing things. Unfortunately, they do cry for repair and disposal ultimately.

I was very impressed with Garuda and his Hanna family, and how, despite their individual lives they live, they are pitching in and doing all they can to see to their dad’s needs as he is living his last days. Actually, there is a four-generational dynamic here. Even the great grandkids are helping. Vina is only four, but her presence is making Garuda feel well supported. I do see here a strong display of backing up each other, a display of bhakti.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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