Care for Her Children

Tap and Carol Combes ( Aravind & Devi ) were last here in Amritapuri two years ago, in 2001. Five months ago at home in Encinitas, CA, USA, they had decided not to attend Amma’s birthday celebration, thinking the expense and the crowds would be too much. But then a fellow devotee encouraged them to reconsider, suggesting that if a really good friend were celebrating their birthday, would they not want to attend?

And here they are in Amritapuri, Kerala, India, on Monday September 15, 2003 happy and delighted to be in Amma’s sweet presence, as they enjoy their lunch amidst the beauty of the Ashram and the Kerala palm trees. Between mouthfuls, Tap expanded on the process both he and his wife Carol went through to make the decision to be here for Amma’s birthday. “When we thought of how much Amma has given to us, repeatedly, since we first met her in 1997, and how tireless Her effort is to reach out to all humanity with her message of Love & Compassion, all of our cost, effort, time, and hassle were seen as small gifts of sacrifice and love, which we know Amma appreciates.”

Carol agreed. “I had concerns about the trip. Would we be met at the Trivandrum airport? Would our flat be clean? Would the water be safe to drink? After being met at the airport by a bus sent from Amritapuri to pick us up, and then upon arrival at 11:00pm that evening and being greeted by one of Amma’s brahmacharis, and then escorted to our clean room, I felt loved and cared for. It was very comforting and reassuring. And then the next day, amidst thousands of Indian & Western devotees, Tap and I were able to sit very close to Mother during darshan, and then when it was our turn for a blessing, it just seemed to go on and on and on. Amidst so many, Mother made a point of connecting with us directly and uniquely. I was deeply touched.”

“ I’ve been wondering why I stayed away from here for two years”, Tap said while finishing his lunch from the western canteen. “There have been so many wonderful changes. This lunch and the meals: so many choices, and the food is good. This new outside temple is beautiful and spacious, with a good breeze. The new high-rise buildings are completed and allow many of Mother’s children to live here comfortably when before they could not. So many changes and all an expression of Mother’s care for her children.”

- Chitaranjaran