Ramsden Park, Toronto
Excusing Myself
Where I sat was quite the juncture; where pathways from three directions come together. All over, benches were taken so when I was on a Zoom call, under a tree, people I knew (neighbours) came to me and began speaking. Unbeknownst to them, I was on my phone.
The first person, a woman, just started talking to me about the weather. Then, the man who has a joke-a-day for me came over from running and asked if I’m ready for a new joke. I politely bowed out for the day. “Sorry, but I’m on the phone.”
“Oh, okay!” and he went back to a slow sprint.
Next, our neighbour of at least 25 doors down came by, walking his dog. It’s been months since I’ve seen him. He stopped because he saw me. Actually, he’s quite a renowned artist and did a sketch of me about 5 years ago, a kind gesture.
I felt rather torn. I was on a phone call with dear devotees, but simultaneously lost opportunities to reconnect with friends of the neighbourhood. I will catch up. I’ve come to realize that bonding with the people around you can have a devotional effect. Between the visits our locals make to Govinda’s, the noise-making we all did together to support medical workers during COVID times, and the people I’ve met on the green in the park, on or off a Zoom call, it all adds up to build a bhakti bond.
May the source be with you.
2 km
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