I am an atheist. But I really appreciate the humility and "living in the moment" aspects of the Hindu rituals that you describe. Also the warmth that Carol describes. And beauty—who doesn't love colorful flower petals at our doorstep? Well written and I am happy for your son—and you!
Thanks for your kind comments Tim. We are delighted and enjoying the opportunity to learn so many new customs infused with meaning as we move forward. You are right: all the gorgeous flowers! I loved 'having to' wear jasmine in my hair all day of the ceremony. Now if I can just get my jasmine to bloom in my garden at home...! As always thanks for reading and commenting!
I love the Hindu traditions and the fun and peace they bring to the families I’ve known who grew up in the traditions and still practice many. Warmth is word that comes to mind. Authentic engagement also. I recently was welcomed to a neighbor’s pre-natal ceremony—similarly it was so much more intimate than a typical American baby shower. Congratulations to you and your growing family, dear Sabrina!
'So much to cherish', yes, indeed! What a wonderful post - two journeys knitted together so beautifully. What delightful news of the engagement - I'm so happy for your son and his bride-to-be!
This post made me cry. Thinking of you taking those two young children halfway across the world for an amazing experience. The solace and appreciation you found there. Reflections on the impact on your children and their memories. So much of the joys of being a mother are wrapped up in this trip. I almost lost it seeing you sitting next to Miles in the ceremony. What a magnificent, magical, and monumental moment that must have brought joy and wonder. I have to wipe my eyes now because I can’t see the screen.
Oh goodness you are so sweet to say all that. It was a very moving ceremony, and I was proud of myself for not weeping during any of it. And you know me…Yes, these treasured times with our adult children are all memorable. I know how much you appreciate them too. And you do such a fine job of making sure those moments happen each year. Looking forward to hearing about your latest expedition with some of yours!
How wonderful! All around. In my own mind I have weaseled myself into your delightful story as we still have a wooden Balinese mask from your cousin’s yard sale and Lego hand-me-downs from Miles!
I love being reminded of the family connections between us, and knowing that it carries on through our children's beloved construction materials. I had forgotten you had a mask from all those Balinese goodies too. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your weaselling!
Firstly the engagement (congrats to all!) and being part of a Hindu ritual - how beautiful! And resonating from far-off Bali!
I've been to Bali (the year before I met my future husband back in Australia) - it was pure peace when I needed it most and I visited temples, observed ritual, ate wonderful food, listened to the gamalan, loved the dancing and costumes, the happiness and kindness of the Balinese. My most oft recall though is the warmth of the nights and the sound of gentle waves on the beach. It really was a lovely place.
Thank you, and I'm so happy it brought back such lovely memories for you too! It is really a magical and sacred place. It was only much later after we returned that I realised a lot of people go to Bali for the beaches. As we were travelling with my cousin who was doing research in the area, we spent all our time inland and only spent one afternoon at a beach! Kind of crazy but I don't regret a moment of that part of our trip.
The rest of our trip was in Sulawesi, where we also saw amazing places and learned many other new traditions, enjoyed some gorgeous snorkelling, but also unfortunately my son got very sick there and we had a week of slight terror while the doctors tried to figure out what was making him so sick. Another long story, but thankfully he recovered! And now we have joy all around.
Golly, poor boy. Those are the times we long to be home where we know our own medical systems. I ended up with classic Bali belly but had a bag full of meds. If it was my child, I think I'd be very scared.
Truth? I only went to the hinterland once - the rest of the time was spent in coastal villages and beaches and a short time in Denpasar. Looking back, I wish I'd gone onto Borneo - sad to have missed that.
Bali has become the holiday destination for Australia and Australians have been appalling there, disrespecting the culture and the island itself. Shameful actually and since Covid the island has changed as well. A friend came back last week (she has been often) and said she was disillusioned. But to be expected that the Balinese should want to reclaim what is theirs.
As you wisely guessed, I was petrified, and the best thing was that my cousin could speak the local language and was our interpreter with the doctors. It was a very long week before we were released to leave the country (and he was well enough to travel.)
I have heard that holiday-makers have overrun the beaches and have not heard great things about the tourist scene. It is really too bad that people can be so indifferent to local populations. I guess you get a dose of that every summer, as do we. At least here for the most part, it is family groups, and everyone is reasonably well-behaved.
I am an atheist. But I really appreciate the humility and "living in the moment" aspects of the Hindu rituals that you describe. Also the warmth that Carol describes. And beauty—who doesn't love colorful flower petals at our doorstep? Well written and I am happy for your son—and you!
Thanks for your kind comments Tim. We are delighted and enjoying the opportunity to learn so many new customs infused with meaning as we move forward. You are right: all the gorgeous flowers! I loved 'having to' wear jasmine in my hair all day of the ceremony. Now if I can just get my jasmine to bloom in my garden at home...! As always thanks for reading and commenting!
I love the Hindu traditions and the fun and peace they bring to the families I’ve known who grew up in the traditions and still practice many. Warmth is word that comes to mind. Authentic engagement also. I recently was welcomed to a neighbor’s pre-natal ceremony—similarly it was so much more intimate than a typical American baby shower. Congratulations to you and your growing family, dear Sabrina!
Thanks Carol! It’s interesting to hear about your experiences too! Thanks for sharing and delighted you have had similar warm feelings. 💕
I'm late to the read, but just wanted to thank you for this soul-affirming piece!
Oh, thank you so much Lisa! Very kind of you to say that. It was indeed a very special event.
'So much to cherish', yes, indeed! What a wonderful post - two journeys knitted together so beautifully. What delightful news of the engagement - I'm so happy for your son and his bride-to-be!
Thank you. And yes, we are so very happy too!
This post made me cry. Thinking of you taking those two young children halfway across the world for an amazing experience. The solace and appreciation you found there. Reflections on the impact on your children and their memories. So much of the joys of being a mother are wrapped up in this trip. I almost lost it seeing you sitting next to Miles in the ceremony. What a magnificent, magical, and monumental moment that must have brought joy and wonder. I have to wipe my eyes now because I can’t see the screen.
Oh goodness you are so sweet to say all that. It was a very moving ceremony, and I was proud of myself for not weeping during any of it. And you know me…Yes, these treasured times with our adult children are all memorable. I know how much you appreciate them too. And you do such a fine job of making sure those moments happen each year. Looking forward to hearing about your latest expedition with some of yours!
How wonderful! All around. In my own mind I have weaseled myself into your delightful story as we still have a wooden Balinese mask from your cousin’s yard sale and Lego hand-me-downs from Miles!
I love being reminded of the family connections between us, and knowing that it carries on through our children's beloved construction materials. I had forgotten you had a mask from all those Balinese goodies too. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your weaselling!
Firstly the engagement (congrats to all!) and being part of a Hindu ritual - how beautiful! And resonating from far-off Bali!
I've been to Bali (the year before I met my future husband back in Australia) - it was pure peace when I needed it most and I visited temples, observed ritual, ate wonderful food, listened to the gamalan, loved the dancing and costumes, the happiness and kindness of the Balinese. My most oft recall though is the warmth of the nights and the sound of gentle waves on the beach. It really was a lovely place.
Thank you for bringing back the memories...
Thank you, and I'm so happy it brought back such lovely memories for you too! It is really a magical and sacred place. It was only much later after we returned that I realised a lot of people go to Bali for the beaches. As we were travelling with my cousin who was doing research in the area, we spent all our time inland and only spent one afternoon at a beach! Kind of crazy but I don't regret a moment of that part of our trip.
The rest of our trip was in Sulawesi, where we also saw amazing places and learned many other new traditions, enjoyed some gorgeous snorkelling, but also unfortunately my son got very sick there and we had a week of slight terror while the doctors tried to figure out what was making him so sick. Another long story, but thankfully he recovered! And now we have joy all around.
Golly, poor boy. Those are the times we long to be home where we know our own medical systems. I ended up with classic Bali belly but had a bag full of meds. If it was my child, I think I'd be very scared.
Truth? I only went to the hinterland once - the rest of the time was spent in coastal villages and beaches and a short time in Denpasar. Looking back, I wish I'd gone onto Borneo - sad to have missed that.
Bali has become the holiday destination for Australia and Australians have been appalling there, disrespecting the culture and the island itself. Shameful actually and since Covid the island has changed as well. A friend came back last week (she has been often) and said she was disillusioned. But to be expected that the Balinese should want to reclaim what is theirs.
As you wisely guessed, I was petrified, and the best thing was that my cousin could speak the local language and was our interpreter with the doctors. It was a very long week before we were released to leave the country (and he was well enough to travel.)
I have heard that holiday-makers have overrun the beaches and have not heard great things about the tourist scene. It is really too bad that people can be so indifferent to local populations. I guess you get a dose of that every summer, as do we. At least here for the most part, it is family groups, and everyone is reasonably well-behaved.
Our incomers are awful, Sabrina. But that's another story...
Congratulations on your son's engagement!
Thanks Erin! (I’ll get to all your other lovely comments shortly!)
Congratulations!!!!!
Thanks Linda!