Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Saturday, October 24th, 2015

Saturday, October 24th, 2015
Butler, Pennsylvania


One Mile



I always consider it a sign of good fortune to see a creature of unique features.  As our crew left on Limestone Rd. for Butler, 3 deer crossed the road.  But that is not unusual to have happen in this part of the world.  What was astonishing was, the one to lead the others was a total albino, meaning no pigment, a rather gorgeous white-furred beauty.  Wow!

More fortunate for today was, while in Butler, Don & Tony (2 current managers of the Cubs Hall, the former YMCA where our guru was staying in 1965) gave a group of close to 200 attendees for today’s event a guided tour of the place.  To show their generosity, Don and Tony donated the metal desk they figured our guru used in his room when he stayed at the Y.

The attendees came from Philly, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Cleveland, Florida, Toronto, and of course Butler.  A queue of speakers briefly shared reflections after a chanting procession down Main St. in the rain.  The procession took us on foot to the former Agarwal residence (the Agarwal's sponsored our guru, Prabhupada, when he came to America) and then to Grand Hall for the speeches, more kirtan, and the food we call prasadam (blessed food).  Prabhupada used to walk almost a mile twice a day from his room at the Y to the Agarwal residence to cook for them, do his laundry, and meet people.  When he would do his laundry, he would use their sink or bath tub and spread the cloth outside on the grass to dry.

It really was a day to relax, take a break from walking, and meet friends.  Oh, and how everyone danced.  It was a joy to behold.

Our full appreciation goes to Jai Krsna and Vrindavan, two top-notch devotees from the New Vrindavan farm, who organized and financed the magnificent event. 

May the Source be with you!

1 mile / 1.6 km

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