India Service Program Blog

24 July — Thursday

In the opening narration of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the now-grown Scout says that although the days of her childhood were comprised of 24 hours, just like any other day, they were naturally contained so, so much more. That is what a day here in Chennai working with the kids, thinking of working with the kids and preparing to work with the kids feels like—each day is 24 hours, yes, and yet they are so much fuller and richer and they stretch to encompass so much more than just “a day..”

My Thursday began with and ended with an auto rickshaw ride. I’m addicted to their crazy speed, their seemingly reckless weaving through the traffic and open-air capacity to really see and feel a part of the city. When we go somewhere as a group, like this evening’s dance performance, half take the van and half get the fun of the rickshaw and then on the return we switch…those in the van feeling like grown-ups (more or less) and those in the rickshaw feeling like lucky kids.

And about this evening’s outing: In response to someone’s question about whether we could, in the coming days see an Indian dance performance (sorry, I don’t know who to credit here, but it was a brilliant suggestion), Stephen turned to the newspaper and quickly arranged for us to go into Chennai and attend an evening of Baratanatyam performed by students of Humaltha Ramchandra. It was perfect! The colors, the traditional costumes, the music and the choreography brought rhythm and image to the legends and myths that for countless years have been a big part of shaping and informing India’s world view. We had driven into the city straight from SEAMS, so I think we were all feeling a big grimy and sweaty (at least I was!) and certainly not dressed for an evening in a theater, but it didn’t matter. We sat in the darkened audience of local Chennai-ans feeling happily transported by the dancers on the stage.

And now a quick re-cap of each member’s day:

Karen stayed later at St. Joseph to teach still more classes because some of the school’s teachers were absent. Her dedication to the students is beautiful. More than once, as Karen and I have walked the streets here of our immediate neighborhood, a student in one of her classes has rushed up to her to say “hi” and they are all the more pleased when she really knows who they are,

George had another productive and happy day w/ the kids at Grace—the kids were especially thrilled and enervated by today’s rain. For the younger students, George reachd into the recesses of his brain and found still more songs to teach them. The older kids continue to thrive on doing improve.

Kathy spent her morning keeping calm and caring company with patients at the hospital

Phyllis and Ricca enjoyed an especially calm and fun day at Assisi Illum. The little kids now happily greet them even more excitement (if that’s possible!) because they are no longer “guests,” but rather “regulars” who have hugged and praised and played with them throughout the past week. Today’s bubble session on the front patio was a BIG hit.

Jim, w/ his usual wry and sweet wit, said that if the chaos of today’s kindergarten class at St. Joseph had occurred on the first day he would have though “Good lord, what have I gotten myself into??” (I think I actually do remember him saying something like this on Monday…) He said he’s just decided to give himself over to the mayhem and to be the witness, not the judge. A very wise and very deeply thoughtful approach—also, probably colored by knowing he will soon pass the “class baton” on to Deanne when he begins his demolition stint at SEAMS next week.

As for me (Deanne), the kids have entered my dreams. I will miss the little ones at Assisi Illum, but look forward to working with the new-to-me students at St. Joseph.

For the day’s quote, I turn to the final paragraph of the book I read today to my sweet quartet of little girls at SEAMS (“The Three Questions,” based on a story by Leo Tolstoy): “Remember that there is only one important time, and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side. For these, my dear ones, are the answers to what is most important in this world. This is why we are here.”