Monday 2 August 2021

Friday, July 30, 2021

Burke Book, Toronto

 

Getting Out Means Meeting People

 

“Hi!” Greeted the gentleman, who, along with his wife, were walking down the same trail as Paramahamsa and I. We were sitting on a stone for me to catch my breath while also catching some sun. He continued, “Do you need some help?”

 

Maybe I looked a little helpless? I had my crutches leaning against the boulder stone and left leg pant rolled up to expose my surgical knee for receiving sun rays.

 

“No! I’m fine. Recently I had a knee replacement. Just doing some Physio right now.”

 

“Oh! I had my hip replaced.” He shared.

 

Then I explained my experience to the couple (retired I guess) and that resonated with them. I went on to tell them that I had worn down the cartilage in my knee from excessive walking — four times across Canada and once across the US, more recently. He noticed my orange t-shirt with the ISKCON logo.

 

“ISKCON! What does that stand for? I’ve seen it before.”

 

I brought up my index finger to the first letter and spelled out each word to the acronym. “International Society for Krishna Consciousness.” Then expressed to them the more popular term “Hare Krishna!”

 

“Oh yes of course!”

 

“I just live at 243 Avenue Rd. — our temple.”

 

“Oh yes I have a good friend who lives across the street from you guys,” said the woman.

 

“Is your friend happy with us?” I inquired.

 

“She says you’re the best neighbours.”

 

That makes me feel good because when we first moved to the building, in ’76, not all neighbours took a liking to us. Anyway, the couple continued to trek. So did Paramahamsa and I.

 

May the Source be with you!

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