--I was able to go to a Hindu Temple festival with Lakshmi. The temple is located right in our neighborhood, so it was an easy walk and trip. We also went with Sundhari, and her nephews Yugandra (Yugi for short) and Krishna.
Hundreds of people came, all with their vilakku candles and bowls of food to offer to the god Ayanar. They crowded around the temple sanctum and waited for the temple officiate to wake up Aiyanar and his two wives. But first the officiate and his helpers wash the deities with milk and ghee. And then the time of awakening comes and they ring loud bells. At this time, everyone puts their palms together and brings them up to their heads as a sign of prayer.
I have seen this all before, but on this occasion there were so many people I couldn't really see the activity. I mostly played rock, paper, scissors with Krishna and the other neighborhood boys. But there is always something special in seeing persons try to find God in their own way.
--I left the festival early because I was not feeling great. This, of course, meant that there was a long conversation-- well, an attempt at a conversation since I don't speak Tamil-- with Lakshmi.
Why are you going? Why do you not want to wait til the gods offer us food? Did you have a fever? She feels my head. No, you don't have a fever, why are you going? I'm coming with you. No, wait. Okay, I come with and make you dinner. You don't want dinner, why not? What's wrong with the food I make you?
Whew. Anyway, I was finally able to go. I went and took a nice shower. Then, despite telling Lakshmi not to make me dinner (I know she understood because I had someone translate, so there!), she brought me temple food AND made me dinner. I did not eat very much with my sensitive stomach and overall exhaustion. In addition and to be honest, sometimes I don't eat very much just to prove my point that when I say I have enough food, I mean it and no, don't bring me anymore. And don't give me that sad face either! ;) I'm tired of feeling guilty for not eating ten pounds of food every meal!
But then Lakshmi told me to sit by her on the couch. Because I care for her very much and we always give each other kisses, I did. This time she just dragged me in her arms, laid my head on her chest, and played with my hair for a few minutes. It was very touching to me, especially as I'm trying to decide over my dilemma mentioned in the previous post.
All of this happened last night. This morning, Sundhari told me Lakshmi cried because I did not eat dinner.
I sighed. I get burnt out sometimes from trying to be the perfect host daughter. Cultural differences hide my efforts. On the other hand, Lakshmi is probably tired of trying to be the perfect host mother, and thinks that I don't like her food.
*I would say priest, but, I don't know if that is a good comparison
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