December 2012
by Bibhas & Carolyn - 22:51 on 31 December 2012
Bibhas carried on meeting friends and family in Kolkata and Delhi in the first half of December, putting on several kilos as relatives vied to feed him and he reciprocated with meals in Chinese Restaurants, arriving back in time for Carolyn's birthday lunch on the 14th after a final visit to the Lotus Temple in New Delhi with a school friend.
This photo shows Carolyn on her birthday in a jumper which Mum knitted many years ago - in fact she knitted several once we found this nice pattern... 14th December was also the day Save the Children Fund launched an awareness campaign with photos of fancy Christmas jumpers, so this one is now on their website :)
Whilst Bibhas was still away Carolyn went to an historic meeting at Manchester College, Oxford, where 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke on December 31st 1912, with some wonderful talks, a candlelit dinner in the Refectory and prayers in the Chapel. One of our Unitarian friends recently trained as a Minister at Manchester College... A few days later after an Interfaith Forum meeting I was able to visit the little Mosque in Woking where 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke on 17th January, 1913, a double bounty in this special Centenary year!
Christmas was a little quiet, with Chandra and Robindra both home but no celebrations now that Mum has gone - Christmas was usually about Dad's birthday on Christmas Eve. We all took some seasonal flowers to the Nightingale Cemetary, and went to one of our Baptist neighbours for their Christmas gathering, as well as attending the Unitarian Carol Service - we actually took Mum there the first year we lost Dad, their services are always very gentle and joyous occasions. We also went to a get-together with some '70s' Bahá'í friends who were over from Australia... It was so nice to see photos of friends and family all over the world, of many Faiths, spending time with their loved ones during the yuletide season.
So here's wishing everyone a happy and peaceful 2013. May lessons be learned from some of the terrible events we have witnessed and heard about in the closing months of 2012, and may we all begin to see the 'rolling up of the Old World Order' and live to see Peace, Justice, Equality of Opportunity and all the things the human race longs for...
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